Marion is a city and the county seat of Marion County, Kansas, United States.[7] It was named in honor of Francis Marion, a Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox".[8] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,927.[9]
| Marion, Kansas | |
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| — City — | |
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| Nickname(s): 'The Land Between Two Lakes" | |
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| Coordinates: 38°20′56″N 97°0′58″W / 38.34889°N 97.01611°WCoordinates: 38°20′56″N 97°0′58″W / 38.34889°N 97.01611°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kansas |
| County | Marion |
| Platted | 1866, 1871, 1873 |
| Incorporated | 1888 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| • Mayor | Mary Olson[1] |
| • City Clerk | Angela Lange[1] |
| Area[2] | |
| • Total | 2.99 sq mi (7.74 km2) |
| • Land | 2.98 sq mi (7.72 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,312 ft (400 m) |
| Population (2010)[3] | |
| • Total | 1,927 |
| • Estimate (2012[4]) | 1,878 |
| • Density | 646.6/sq mi (249.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 66861 |
| Area code(s) | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-44750[5] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0477366[6] |
| Website | www.MarionKS.com |
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Marion is a city and the county seat of Marion County, Kansas, United States.[7] It was named in honor of Francis Marion, a Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox".[8] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,927.[9]
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History[edit]
19th century[edit]
For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans. In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Marion County was founded.
In 1806, Zebulon Pike led the Pike expedition westward from St Louis, Missouri, of which part of their journey followed the Cottonwood River through Marion County near the current cities of Florence, Marion, Durham.[10]
The city of Marion Centre was founded in 1860, became the county seat, and later the name was shortened to Marion.
As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence. In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.[11] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood.[12] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.[13] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood. Later, the Santa Fe depot building was converted into the Marion Library. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".
In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north-south from Herington through Marion to Caldwell.[14] It foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, and finally merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".
In 1889, the Marion Belt and Chingawasa Springs Railroad built a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) railroad from Marion north-east to Chingawasa Springs. A hotel was built near the site of the spa at Chingawasa Springs, and a depot and eatery as well. Both Santa Fe and Rock Island offered round trip fares from Chicago and western cities to Chingawasa Springs. An economic panic in 1893 closed down the health spa and hotel, and quarry business along the tracks never developed sufficiently. In 1893, the railroad ceased operations, and tracks were removed in 1910.[15][16]
20th century[edit]
The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Lehigh, Hillsboro, Marion, Lost Springs.
In 1937, the Marion County Park and Lake was completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps south-east of Marion for the purpose of recreation. There has been numerous floods during the early history of Marion. In June and July 1951, due to heavy rains, rivers and streams flooded numerous cities in Kansas, including Marion. Many reservoirs and levees were built in Kansas as part of a response to the Great Flood of 1951. From 1964 to 1968, the Marion Reservoir was constructed north-west of Marion. Downstream from the Marion Reservoir, levee's were built in the low areas of Marion and Florence.
21st century[edit]
In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed west of Marion, north to south through Marion County, with much controversy over road damage, tax exemption, and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs).[17][18][19]
Geography[edit]
Marion is located at 38°20′56″N 97°0′58″W / 38.34889°N 97.01611°W (38.348952, -97.016037)[20], in the scenic Flint Hills. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.99 square miles (7.74 km2), of which, 2.98 square miles (7.72 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[2]
Area events[edit]
Area attractions[edit]
Marion has five listings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
- Elgin Hotel[21] (NRHP), 115 North 3rd Street. Currently a Bed and Breakfast.
- First Presbyterian Church[22] (NRHP), 610 East Lawrence Street.
- Hill Grade School[23] (NRHP), 601 East Main Street.
- Marion County Courthouse[24] (NRHP), 200 South 3rd Street.
- Marion County Museum, 623 East Main Street. Formerly the First Baptist Church from 1882 to mid-1950s.
- Marion County Park and Lake, 1-mile (1.6 km) east of Marion on 190th Street (Main) then 1.75 miles (2.82 km) south on Upland Road.
- Marion Reservoir, exits closest to farther from Marion along US-56: Marion cove and Cottonwood Point cove (Pawnee Road), Overlook and Dam (Old Mill Road), Hillsboro cove (Nighthawk Road), French Creek cove (Limestone Road).
Demographics[edit]
| Historical populations | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 857 |
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| 1890 | 2,047 | 138.9% | |
| 1900 | 1,824 | −10.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,841 | 0.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,928 | 4.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,959 | 1.6% | |
| 1940 | 2,086 | 6.5% | |
| 1950 | 2,050 | −1.7% | |
| 1960 | 2,169 | 5.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,052 | −5.4% | |
| 1980 | 1,951 | −4.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,906 | −2.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,110 | 10.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,927 | −8.7% | |
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2010 census[edit]
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 1,927 people, 846 households, and 514 families residing in the city. The population density was 646.6 inhabitants per square mile (249.7 /km2). There were 973 housing units at an average density of 326.5 per square mile (126.1 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.6% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 846 households of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.90.
The median age in the city was 44 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
2000 census[edit]
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 2,110 people, 859 households, and 556 families residing in the city. The population density was 948.6 people per square mile (367.0/km²). There were 968 housing units at an average density of 435.2 per square mile (168.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.58% White, 0.05% African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population.
There were 859 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $32,125, and the median income for a family was $42,202. Males had a median income of $30,907 versus $23,929 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,464. About 5.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government[edit]
City[edit]
The Marion government consists of a mayor and four council members. The council meets every other Monday at 4:30PM.[1]
- City Hall, 203 N 3rd St.
- Police and Fire Department, 112 N 5th St.
County[edit]
- Marion County Courthouse, 203 S 4th St.
U.S.[edit]
- U.S. Post Office, 423 E Main St.
- U.S. Consolidated Farm Service Agency, 301 Eisenhower Dr.
Education[edit]
Primary and secondary education[edit]
Marion is part of Unified School District 408.[25][26] The high school is a member of T.E.E.N., a shared video teaching network between five area high schools.[27]
- Marion High School (Kansas), 701 E Main St.
- Marion Middle School, 125 S Lincoln St.
- Marion Elementary School, 1400 E Lawrence St.
Sports[edit]
The Marion High School mascot is a Warrior. All high school athletic and non-athletic competition is overseen by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. For 2010/2011 seasons, the football team competes as Class 3A.[28] Recently the City of Marion and Unified School District 408 jointly built a gymnasium and indoor swimming pool. Located just south of Marion Elementary School, the pool is open all year round and the gym features a walking track above a sunken gymnasium floor.[29] The bond issue that financed the project also built a new auditorium on the Marion High School campus.[citation needed]
Library[edit]
Each USD 408 school has a library for student access. The city is served by the Marion City Library at 101 Library Street. The library is a member of the North Central Kansas Libraries System, which provides an inter-library book loan service between its members.
Media[edit]
Print[edit]
- Marion County Record, official newspaper for City of Marion and Marion County.
Radio[edit]
Marion is served by numerous radio stations of the Wichita-Hutchinson listening market area,[30] and satellite radio. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.
Television[edit]
Marion is served by over-the-air ATSC digital TV of the Wichita-Hutchinson viewing market area,[31] cable TV, and satellite TV. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.
Infrastructure[edit]
Transportation[edit]
U.S. Route 56 runs along the city's northern side, and U.S. Route 77 is 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the city. Kansas Highway 256 runs through the center of town as Main Street, past the east end business section, Marion High School and the downtown business district. A regional Kansas Department of Transportation office is located on the north side of Marion at the corner of U.S. Route 56 and Cedar Street. The Oklahoma Kansas Texas (OKT)[32] line of the Union Pacific Railroad runs north-south through the city. Marion Municipal Airport, FAA:43K,[33] is located south-east of Marion and centered at 38°20′15″N 96°59′30″W / 38.337500°N 96.991666°W.[34]
Utilities[edit]
- Internet
- Cable is provided by Eagle Communications.
- Satellite is provided by HughesNet, StarBand, WildBlue.
- TV
- Cable is provided by Eagle Communications.
- Satellite is provided by DirecTV, Dish Network.
- Terrestrial is provided by regional digital TV stations.
- Electricity
- City is provided by City of Marion.
- Rural is provided by Flint Hills RECA.
- Water
- City is provided by City of Marion.
- Rural is provided by Marion County RWD #4.
- Sewer is provided by City of Marion.
- Trash is provided by City of Marion.
Notable people[edit]
- Levi Billings, (18xx-18xx), Kansas House of Representatives[35]
- Orley C. Billings, (1869-19xx), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Lumber
- Randolph Carpenter, U.S. Representative from Kansas and a U.S. Army World War I veteran.
- Charlie Faust, American Major League baseball player
- Charles O. Fuller, (1825–1879), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Businessman, Farmer
- Ferdinand J. Funk, (1860-19xx) Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Farmer, Printer, Realtor
- Edward W. Hoch, (1849–1925), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] 17th Governor of Kansas, editor of Marion County Record
- Homer Hoch, (1879–1949), U.S. Congressman, member of Kansas Supreme Court, Lawyer, editor of Marion County Record
- Braden C. Johnston, (1889-19xx), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Lawyer
- Tex Jones (1885-1938), Major League Baseball player
- Horace Greeley Kyle, (1861-19xx), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Farmer[36]
- Eric K. Meyer, (born 1953), journalism professor at University of Illinois, Pulitzer Prize nominee, president and majority owner of Hoch Publishing Co (in Marion)
- Otto W. "Bill" Meyer Jr., (1925-2006), member of Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame[37] and winner of Eugene Cervi Award for lifetime achievement from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors, editor of Marion County Record
- Atlantic "Lank" Abraham Moore, (1834-1xxx), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Rancher
- Fay Moulton, Olympic sprinter, American football player and coach, and lawyer. He served as the fifth head football coach at Kansas State Agricultural College, now Kansas State University.
- Samuel R. Peters, (1842–1910), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Kansas State Senate, Judge of 9th District, Captain in Union Army, Lawyer, Newton Postmaster, Editor
- John H. Riddle, (1899–1995), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Civil Engineer
- Taylor Riddle, (18xx-19xx), Kansas House of Representatives[35]
- Reuben Riggs, (18xx-1xxx), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Lawyer
- Dallas Rogers, (18xx-1xxx), Kansas House of Representatives[35]
- J. Newton Rogers, (18xx-1xxx), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Physician
- William M. Runyan, preacher, songwriter who composed Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- Carla Stovall Steckline, (born 1957), Kansas Attorney General
- Charles W. Thompson, (18xx-19xx), Kansas House of Representatives,[35] Merchant
See also[edit]
- Marion High School
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Kansas
- Historical Maps of Marion County, Kansas
- Cottonwood River and Great Flood of 1951
- National Old Trails Road
Further reading[edit]
- Marion
- Marion County Dreamed of Prosperity in Chingawassa Springs, Quarry Siding and Rainbow Lake; Marion Record Review; September 14, 1944.
- Memories of Old Chingawassa Railroad and Resort; Marion Record; September 10/11 Souvenir Edition, 1941.
- First Mayor of Marion Centre; Jack Costello; Marion Record; September 10/11 Souvenir Edition, 1941.
- Presbyterian Church Seventy Years Old; Marion Record; September 11, 1941.
- Marion, Kansas; Printing Bureau, 1926.
- Marion County
- Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
- The Early Schools of Marion County Kansas; Wilma Stewart Stallwitz; Located at Peabody Township Library; 33 pages; 1960.
- The Scully Land System in Marion County, Kansas; Homer Socolofsky; Kansas State University; 110 pages; 1944/1947.
- World War Roll of Honor : Marion County Kansas 1917-1920; Alexander and Dean; 221 pages; 1920.
- Standard Atlas of Marion County Kansas; Geo A. Ogle & Co; 99 pages; 1921.
- Standard Atlas of Marion County Kansas; Geo A. Ogle & Co; 103 pages; 1902.
- Standard Atlas of Marion County Kansas; The Davy Map and Atlas Co; 87 pages; 1885.
- Trails
- Marion County Auto Tour of the Santa Fe Trail; 2 pages. (Download 1MB PDF Flyer)
- The Story of the Marking of the Santa Fe Trail by the Daughters of the American Revolution in Kansas and the State of Kansas; Almira Cordry; Crane Co; 164 pages; 1915. (Download 4MB PDF eBook)
- The National Old Trails Road To Southern California, Part 1 (LA to KC); Automobile Club Of Southern California; 64 pages; 1916. (Download 6.8MB PDF eBook)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Marion - Directory of Public Officials
- ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
- ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ Francis Marion
- ^ "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
- ^ 1806 Pike Expedition map through Marion County.
- ^ Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
- ^ Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.
- ^ Railway Abandonment 1968
- ^ Rock Island Rail History
- ^ The Marion Belt and Chingawasa Springs Railroad - 117 Year Old Passenger Car Exists Today
- ^ Chingawasa Springs (1 of 2)
- ^ Keystone Pipeline - Marion County Commission calls out Legislative Leadership on Pipeline Deal; April 18, 2010.
- ^ Keystone Pipeline - TransCanada inspecting pipeline; December 10, 2010.
- ^ Keystone Pipeline - County ask TransCanada for pipeline emergency plan; Hillsboro Free Press; February 15, 2011.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ National Register of Historic Places - Elgin Hotel
- ^ National Register of Historic Places - First Presbyterian Church
- ^ National Register of Historic Places - Hill Grade School
- ^ National Register of Historic Places - Marion County Courthouse
- ^ USD 408
- ^ Kansas School District Boundary Map
- ^ T.E.E.N. video teaching network
- ^ KSHSAA Football Class Size Assignments
- ^ Marion USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center; City of Marion.
- ^ Wichita-Hutchinson Radio market.
- ^ Wichita-Hutchinson TV market.
- ^ "UP Railroad Common Line Names". Union Pacific Railroad. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
- ^ Marion Municipal Airport map
- ^ Marion Municipal Airport information
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Kansas Legislators Past & Present
- ^ Horace Kyle - History
- ^ Otto "Bill" Meyer Obituary; Kansas Press Association
External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Marion, Kansas |
- City
- Schools
- USD 408, school district for Marion, Florence, Eastshore, Canada, Aulne, nearby rural areas of Marion County
- Photos and Videos
- KWCH 'One of a Kind' Kansas road trip in 2011: Photos, Video 1, Video 2. Towns included were Coldwater, Sterling, Atwood, Lucas, Marion.
- Historical
- Historic Images of Marion, Special Photo Collections at Wichita State University Library
- KsGenWeb Marion County cemetery list
- Lodging
- Maps
- Marion City Map, KDOT
- Marion County Maps: Current, 1941
- Topo Map of Marion / Aulne / Canada area, USGS
- Topo Map of Marion to Florence area, USGS
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