Places

In 1977, a group of individuals had a vision of a community pool for the Village of Waldo. In 1978, they proposed a campaign of “Swim with Waldo,” a theme that has stayed with the pool. Through years of fundraising including chicken barbecues, community garage sales, pledges, “Swim with Waldo” t-shirts sales, and many volunteer […]

For 50 years, Cummins Facility Services (CFS) has been part of the Marion Community. Founded in 1972 by local residents Ron and Myra Cummins at their kitchen table, CFS started by providing janitorial services and floor care to local businesses. Ron took great pride in making old surfaces look new again. Myra worked hard on […]

Jason Kirkman and Adam Wolfe graduated from Elgin in 2001. Both were part of the construction trades program at Tri-Rivers with Mike Hock and Dan Tripp. Right out of high school, Kirkman and Wolfe began conversations about starting their own company. “In 2003, we started the business, and my contribution was the name,” said Kirkman. […]

Young attorney Ozias Bowen came to Marion in 1828 and started his law office. Five years later, he married Lydia Baker, daughter of town founder Eber Baker. Their house at 270 East Center Street was the first brick house in the village of Marion (now occupied by Laipply’s Printing & Marketing Services.) Bowen admired the ancient […]

Marion City Parks Department employs seven full-time staff and six seasonal staff. They operate and maintain 19 city parks, 21 green spaces, 14 ball fields, the aquatic center, and Marion Municipal Airport. Lincoln and McKinley parks have been in Marion for over 100 years. “The goal of the Marion Parks Department is to provide and […]

Marion Women’s Club and home both became designated as national historic sites in December 2019. Records were found in a cedar closet located inside the home dating back to 1895. Club meetings began in the home in 1905 after it was built by Shauck Elah Barlow and Ida Harsh Barlow. It was donated in 1945 […]