Marion, Ohio

City of Marion
—  City  —
West Center Street in downtown Marion in 2007.
Nickname(s): World's Popcorn Capital, City of Kings
Location within the state of Ohio
Coordinates: 40°35′12″N 83°7′35″W / 40.58667°N 83.12639°W / 40.58667; -83.12639Coordinates: 40°35′12″N 83°7′35″W / 40.58667°N 83.12639°W / 40.58667; -83.12639
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Marion
Founded	1822
Area
- Total	11.4 sq mi (29.5 km2)
- Land	11.4 sq mi (29.4 km2)
- Water	0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)  0.35% area_total_km2 = 29.5%
Elevation	981 ft (299 m)
Population (2008)[1]
- Total	35,841
- Density	3,111.6/sq mi (1,201.4/km2)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	43301, 43302, 43306, 43307
Area code(s)	740
FIPS code	39-47754[2]
GNIS feature ID	1061473[3]
Website	http://www.marionohio.us/

Marion is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Marion County^[4]. The municipality is located in north-central Ohio, approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of Columbus.

The population was 35,318 at the 2000 census. According to the US Census 2008 estimate, Marion has a population of 35,841, while Ohio's Columbus–Marion–Chillicothe Combined Statistical Area has 2,002,604 people.^[5] Marion is the county's largest city and the center of the Marion Micropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the United States Census Bureau in 2003). President Warren G. Harding was a native of Marion.

History

City Hall building in downtown Marion.

A curious visitor to the Marion Cemetery inspects the moving sphere atop the Merchant family grave marker.

The origins of Marion can be traced back to the War of 1812 when Jacob Foos, a surveyor for General Harrison's army, discovered a spring at the top of a hill and established a well there which was named "Jacob's Well". At the time it was a stopover for troops on their way from Ft. Franklin (Columbus) to Toledo. Legend has it that in the middle of the night Foos awoke with a terrible thirst. He began to dig and told his fellow travelers that he was going to dig till he found either water or hell. This well was located near what is now Marion Towers on Delaware Ave. The town of Marion was platted north of Jacob's Well in 1822 by Alexander Holmes and Eber Baker; Marion County was established in 1824.

Best known as the hometown and burial location of President Warren G. Harding and First Lady Florence Harding, Marion was one of Ohio's major industrial centers until the 1970s. Products of the Marion Steam Shovel Company (later Marion Power Shovel) built the Panama Canal and in the 1960s, NASA contracted with Power Shovel to construct the crawler-transporters that moved the assembled Saturn V rockets, used by Project Apollo, to the launch pad. In 1911, 80% of the nation's steam shovel and heavy duty earth moving equipment was manufactured in Marion, Ohio.

The city is also a rail center for CSX, and Norfolk Southern, linking all four points on the compass. Marion is the nation's leader in corn and popcorn produced foods.^{[citation needed]} Whirlpool Corporation of Benton Harbor, Michigan is the largest employer in the city operating the largest clothes dryer manufacturing facility in the world.^[6]

Marion is also the birthplace and childhood home of Norman Mattoon Thomas, four-time candidate for President of the United States under the Socialist Party of America ticket and co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Elsie Janis, the stage name for Elsie Beerbower, musical theatre star and "Sweetheart of the American Expeditionary Forces" (AEF) during World War I was a native of Marion County. The Isaly family of Mansfield, Ohio - inventors of the Klondike bar - chose Marion as the second Isaly's Dairy facility.^{[citation needed]}

In 1938, local tap dance instructor Marilyn Meseke, was crowned Miss America 1938 - the first year that talent was considered part of the annual competition. Meseke's trophy and pageant memorabilia are housed in the Marion County Historical Society.^{[citation needed]}

Mary Ellen Withrow (née Hinamon), Treasurer of the United States from 1994 until 2001 is a Marion County native. Withrow is the only person in the history of the United States to have held the governmental position of Treasurer on the Local (Marion County Ohio Treasurer), State (Treasurer of the State of Ohio) and Federal levels of Government.

Marion Cemetery also has the dubious honor of being home to the Merchant family grave marker, known in paranormal circles for its unintended movements. The marker consists of a large grey granite pedestal capped by a two-ton granite sphere four feet in diameter. The sphere moves on its base several inches every year, as measured by the distance traveled by the unpolished spot from where it was mated to the pedestal. While the movement of the sphere is thought to be facilitated by freeze-thaw cycles, earth tremors, or trapped air or water under the base, there has been no conclusive explanation for patterns that the sphere seems to follow. The movements of the sphere have been documented by numerous news outlets and it has been featured in Ripley's Believe it or Not (September 29, 1927).

This has also been documented in Frank Edwards' book, Strange World, from an edition in the early to mid sixties. There are several sites on the internet concerning this tombstone.

Geography

Marion is located at 40°35′12″N 83°7′35″W / 40.58667°N 83.12639°W / 40.58667; -83.12639 (40.586579, -83.126404)^[7].

The city is located about 50 miles (80 km) north of Ohio's capital city, Columbus, due north along U.S. Highway 23. Marion occupies most of Marion Township, which is located just outside of the city limits.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.4 square miles (30 km²), of which, 11.4 square miles (30 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) of it (0.35%) is water.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1830	287		—
1840	570		98.6%
1850	1,311		130.0%
1860	1,844		40.7%
1870	2,531		37.3%
1880	3,899		54.0%
1890	8,327		113.6%
1900	11,862		42.5%
1910	18,232		53.7%
1920	27,891		53.0%
1930	31,084		11.4%
1940	30,817		−0.9%
1950	33,817		9.7%
1960	37,079		9.6%
1970	38,646		4.2%
1980	37,040		−4.2%
1990	34,075		−8.0%
2000	35,318		3.6%
2010	36,837		4.3%
Population 1830-2000.[8] Population 2010.[9]

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 35,318 people, 13,551 households, and 8,821 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,111.6 people per square mile (1,201.4/km²). There were 14,713 housing units at an average density of 1,296.8 per square mile (500.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.40% White, 7.01% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.34% of the population.

There were 13,551 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 102.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,124, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $31,126 versus $22,211 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,247. About 10.9% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Culture

Annual events and fairs

Marion is home to the Marion Popcorn Festival, an annual event that is held in downtown Marion in September, the weekend following Labor Day. The Marion County Fair is held every year in Marion during the first week of July. Saturday in the Park is a children's festival that is held each year in Lincoln Park. The Regional Dog and Pony Show is a regional event that is held annually in Marion. One of the fair's founding members Doug Mitchem was instrumental in the development of the programs.

Media

Marion is served in print by The Marion Star, the city's only daily newspaper.^[10] Online, the city is served by MarionOnline.com.

Among Marion's notable radio stations are WMRN (94.3FM) country music station, WMRN (1490AM) news/talk (clear channel), WOSB (91.1FM) NPR News and classical music station, WYNT (95.9FM) adult contemporary station, and WDCM (97.5FM) community radio.

The local television station is Channel 39, which is primarily Christian programing. In 2008, a new television station, TV 22 Marion (Time Warner Channel 3), was launched to cover area news, events, sports, and local programming.

Sports

Marion, Ohio is the home of the Marion Blue Racers, an indoor football team in the Continental Indoor Football League, that plays at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Marion was home to the Marion Mayhem, also an indoor football team in the CIFL, that also played at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum from 2006 - 2010. Marion previously had a professional ice hockey team, the Marion Barons, who played in the International Hockey League during the 1953-54 season. Marion has been home to numerous individual and team high school state championships. In the early 1980s, Tina Kniseley was a roller figure-skating national champion and Scott Duncan was a WUSA National Champion in wrestling.

Education

Marion City Schools enroll 4,418 students in public primary and secondary schools.^[11] The district administers 8 public schools including six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

In addition to the city schools, there are also 4 other public school districts including: Elgin, Pleasant, River Valley, and Ridgedale. A private school, Marion Catholic, can also be found in Marion.

Marion is home to two institutions of higher learning. The Ohio State University has a regional campus at Marion, and Marion Technical College, a community college that shares the Marion Campus with OSU.

Transportation

The Marion Municipal Airport is located three nautical miles (4 mi, 6 km) northeast of the central business district.^[12]

Notable natives and residents

• Brian Agler, former head coach of the Columbus Quest and current head coach for the Seattle Storm
• Eber Baker, founder of Marion
• Larry Barnett, Longtime Umpire 1969-1999 Major League Baseball, Worked infamous Game 3 of 1975 World Series and 1996 Jeffrey Maier American League Championship Series.
• John Courtright, former Div. I pitcher at Duke and first professional pitcher to face Michael Jordan in the minor leagues, pitched in one Major League game May 6, 1995 for the Cincinnati Reds.
• John Dean, Nixon Administration official and Watergate personality
• Chelsea Field (musician), Country music artist
• Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States and publisher of The Marion Star
• Toby Harrah, former Major League Baseball Player, 4-time All Star, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians,etc., Assistant Coach with the MLB Detroit Tigers.
• Steven Hicks, Front Office, The Minnesota Vikings Football Club and Entrepreneur.
• Edward Huber, industrialist and inventor of the gasoline powered tractor.
• Aubrey Huff, Major League Baseball player for the San Francisco Giants.
• Elsie Janis (born Elsie Beerbower), comedian, broadway star, "Sweetheart of the AEF".
• Florence Kling DeWolfe Harding, wife of Warren G. Harding, First Lady 1921-1923.
• Jerry Layne, Longtime Umpire 1989-current Major League Baseball.
• O.J. McDuffie, former NFL player for the Miami Dolphins
• Marilyn Meseke, Miss America 1938; Miss Ohio 1931 and 1938.
• Gerry Mulligan, jazz artist also known as "Jeru".
• Taya Parker, international adult model and performer, seen on "Rock of Love with Bret Michaels". 2009 Penthouse Pet of the Year.
• Carrie Phillips, mistress of Warren G. Harding, and the only woman to blackmail a major American political party successfully.
• Jim Thorpe, Olympian and Oorang Indians player. Oorang played in LaRue.
• Norman Thomas, six time Socialist presidential candidate and one of the founders of the National Civil Liberties Bureau (the precursor of the American Civil Liberties Union).
• Mary Ellen Withrow, 40th Treasurer of the United States, 1994-2001.
• Trevor Harris, football player with the Jacksonville Jaguars (Training Camp Invitee, 2010)
• Dave Wagner, news anchor/journalist

References

1. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Ohio, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008". U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2008-04-39.csv. Retrieved 2009-08-02. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Population of Combined Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008". U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2008/CBSA-EST2008-02.csv. Retrieved 2009-08-02. 
6. ^ "Marion Area Chamber of Commerce...presents". http://www.marionareachamber.org/web_pages/community_profile.htm. 
7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
8. ^ "Census Of Population And Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/index.htm. Retrieved 2011-04-03. 
9. ^ "Census 2010: Ohio's top metro areas lost population, except Columbus". MarionStar.com. 2011-03-09. http://www.marionstar.com/article/20110309/NEWS01/110309005/0/permgall/Marion-County-show. Retrieved 2011-04-03. 
10. ^ "The Marion Star". The Marion Star. http://www.marionstar.com/. Retrieved 2008-06-01. 
11. ^ greatschools. "Marion City School District Profile". http://www.greatschools.org/ohio/marion/Marion-City-School-District/. Retrieved 2011-04-03. 
12. ^ FAA Airport Master Record for MNN (Form 5010 PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 30 June 2011.

External links

• City of Marion Official Website
• Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Marion travel guide from Wikitravel
• Marion Cemetery Association - pictures of notable monuments, including the Merchant Family Marker
• Marion County Historical Society
• Marion Online - News, Sports, Weather, & More for Marion, Ohio
• Spooky Marion - A historical site devoted to the odd, bloody, creepy and otherworldly stories from around town.