Local News. Local Connections.

Marion City Council Changes Parking
Rules to Some Streets

According to a recent article by the City Marion, parking  changes are coming to certain streets in the city. The changes come as the result of complaints that emergency vehicles, garbage trucks, and snow plows are unable to get through some of the streets because vehicles are parked on both sides of the street. 

These areas include 10th Street to the west, 31st Street to the east, 10th Avenue to the south and McGowan Boulevard to the north.

Residents should be on the lookout for for signs to be installed in the coming months. To learn more, visit www.cityofmarion.org/noparking.

Marion Public Library Launches
Community Food Pantry

The Marion Public Library is doing its part to ease food insecurity by creating a new community food pantry, a project made possible through a combination of grant funding and community support.

The pantry is located on the library's main level near the media section and is available during library operating hours. It is designed to offer convenient and welcoming access to food resources for community members. Learn more at marionpubliclibrary.org/news.

Volunteers Needed for Creek Clean-Up

The City of Marion is teaming up with Creekside Pride to remove trash from Indian Creek and educate the community on the importance of healthy watersheds. The clean-up day will take place at Thomas Park, located at 343 Marion Blvd., on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m.-noon. Participants should meet at the English Pavilion.

Volunteers will remove debris by boat and by foot along the paths of Indian Creek. Participants are encouraged to wear protective clothing that can get dirty. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. A complimentary lunch for volunteers will be provided by Boone’s BBQ & Catering. The event is sponsored by Cargill.

Sign up to help clean up Aug. 15, 9 am at:   https://signup.com/go/NOBMLAL

Photo Courtesy of the City of Marion

CeMar Trail Construction to Be Completed this Fall

According to the City of Marion, progress continues on the final stretch of the CeMar Trail. Crews completed the final bridge deck pour of the project on the bridge near Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The project remains on schedule and is expected to be completed this fall.

Heat Relief Centers Open

As the temperatures rise, the Marion Fire Department encourages residents to check on neighbors, family members and friends who are especially vulnerable to high heat indices due to age, medical or other conditions. Anyone seeking a break from the heat is welcome at any of the following air-conditioned heat relief locations in Marion. Each location is available the following days and times during periods of extreme temperatures:

Marion Construction to Last Four Weeks

Construction crews will be working from Indian Creek Road to 29th Avenue. During construction, 10th Street will be reduced to southbound traffic only. Northbound traffic will be detoured using Indian Creek Road and 29th Avenue. This work is expected to last four weeks, weather permitting

Marion History

Originally built in 1888, the C.M. & St. Paul Depot was located on 6th Ave. between 11th and 12th Streets. In 1938, an extension was added to the original building for additional office space. The two-floor depot was the railroad hub of Marion until the 1970s, when it faced imminent demolition.
     To preserve this portion of Marion history, a group of determined Marion citizens banded together to raise money and support to move the original depot roof to Marion Square Park, where it would be reused as a pavilion roof. Because of this effort, Marion citizens were able to memorialize one of the most important buildings in Marion's history.
     For more than a century, the railroad played a major role in Marion's history. On October 13, 1859 the first railcar rolled into Marion; a wood-burning train of the Dubuque Southern Railway. In 1872, the Sabula, Ackley, & Dakota Railway joined the Dubuque Southern in Marion; the S.A. & D. later became the more commonly known “Milwaukee Road.”
     During the 1880s, the railroad provided a real boom for Marion; the highlight of this time being in 1887 when Marion was named a Division Point. This time saw the addition of a roundhouse, a new depot, and many new businesses and residents in Marion. Marion remained a Division Point until 1918.
     The railroad offered freight and passenger services through Marion, changing the way the town was built and populated. The transport of lumber changed how houses were built. With the constant flow of travelers, Marion began to see new hotels, restaurants, and other businesses near the rail line. These new industries catered to the expanding workforce living in Marion to support the railroad companies.
     In the 1940s, airlines began to compete very heavily with railroad companies. This took its toll on the Milwaukee Road and Marion saw its last passenger train on May 2, 1971. This left Marion with only a struggling freight service. On March 1, 1980, the Milwaukee Railroad left with its last train out of Marion.

     A caboose sat in Marion Square for many years, until it was moved to a space just off off 31st Street, off the trail that runs through there.

Upcoming Activities

Grand Opening

Two businesses are opening on 6th Ave. in Marion!
Cedar Witch Goods and Familiar Cat Café
The Grand Openings are July 25, 12-4
935-945 6th Ave  Marion

Uptown Marion Girls Day Out

Sunday, July 26, 9 am to 3 pm - Uptown Marion

Girls Day Out—a full day of shopping local, exclusive deals, giveaways, fresh flowers, delicious treats,
and discovering some of Uptown Marion’s
favorite small businesses!

Wickiup Hill Adventures

Bounce Your Way Through Summer

Marion Parks & Recreation is bringing free inflatable fun to parks around Marion throughout the summer! There will be rides down the giant slide, climbing through the obstacle course, and jumping in the bouncy house. Yard games will be set up to play and music pumping through the park for extra fun