Marion Illinois History Preservation

1909, April 6 – Tornado Grazes Marion

Posted on August 26, 2018 by Sam LattucaAugust 26, 2018

“More than 100 houses were wrecked and several persons injured by a tornado which swept this city and Pittsburg, a small town six miles northeast of here, at 5:30 Tuesday morning. The property damage is estimated at more than $100,000, but is far as known no lives were lost.

It was first reported that two persons were killed at Pittsburg. Details of the amount of damage at that point were lacking for several hours, owing to the blowing down of telephone and telegraph wires. Heavy damage to farm property was done between Marion and Pittsburg. Continue reading →

1900, William Jennings Bryan Stumps at Marion

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Sam LattucaAugust 24, 2018

While running as a Democrat for President during the 1900 national election against William McKinley, candidate William Jennings Bryan from Salem Illinois stumped through Southern Illinois in October of 1900.

“William J. Bryan’s itinerary through Southern Illinois was a grand success from a political standpoint. He was met at every point by large and enthusiastic crowds. At Benton and Marion the crowds were estimated at 10,000 people; at Cairo 18,000 people came out to hear him; at Murphysboro over 12,000 and he was received with rousing ovations at every point he stopped at. His reception in Egypt would indicate that the people of this section will repudiate McKnleyism in November and vote for the man whose loyalty to American institutions and to the people is unquestioned.” Continue reading →

1964, August 9 – Five Businesses Burned Out

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Sam LattucaAugust 24, 2018

1964, August 9, Five Marion Businesses Burned Out

Marion, ravaged by a $2.22 million 1963 fire loss, suffered a $150,000 fire Sunday, August 9, 1964, which destroyed five businesses and professional Sites.

The fire, which raged through false ceilings and a roof, resisted firemen’s efforts for five and a half hours.

It destroyed the J.V. Walker and Sons Clothing Store, Cline-Vick Drug Store, Household Finance Corp., and offices of Attorneys, J.C. Mitchell and Kenneth Hubler and Dr. Howard C. Dibble. Continue reading →

Flooding in Marion

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Sam LattucaAugust 21, 2018

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Marion historically used to have severe flooding issues when you look at the way the land lays and the elevations involved. Crab Orchard Creek which brushes the city to the south side of Marion gathers water from the Pittsburg area and as far east as Crab Orchard. Inside city limits, a tributary called West End Creek snakes from the Shawnee Village area near West Boulevard Street and makes its way to the intersection of Court and Main where it passes under the intersection and heads generally SSE till it finds Crab Orchard Creek. Meanwhile, another tributary called Mule Creek begins gathering water just east of Rosehill Cemetery and winds its way through East Marion in the general direction of the Washington School passing under E. Main and south through Ashley Park till it meets West End Creek near the sewer plant and both dump into Crab Orchard Creek. Continue reading →

City Scavenger

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Sam LattucaAugust 10, 2018

One city government position that we don’t appear to have seen in Marion since the 1950’s was that of City Scavenger. The job was an appointed position and according to Marion’s Laws and Ordinances for the year 1919 didn’t collect a salary from the city but rather controlled garbage and waste collection throughout the city and was able to receive specific fees for such.

Section 3 of Ordinance 30 reads, ”It shall be unlawful for any other person, except the duly authorized city scavenger or his agents, to haul night soil, dry garbage, cans, slops, offal or any other rubbish, or do any other scavenger work, within the city limits of Marion.” Continue reading →