A Souvenir Book of Williamson County was created in 1905 to promote the county and document the counties past accomplishments. Many pictures on this site will come from this book. These views are from atop the County court house on the Public Square in the center of Marion, Illinois.

Note the Coal Belt Electric trolley lines running up N. Market to the Square and then out West Main. This trolley line could take you to Fordville (Energy), Herrin, Carterville and most all the working local mines. There was also no brick paving at this point.

The Denison Building location on the North side of the square next to N. Market would eventually become the First National Bank through the 1920’s and 1930’s then the Bank of Marion. See also our gallery of images of the Court House.

The views from 1965 are part of the Marion Daily Republican archives and were used in the 1995 History Progress Edition. The 1962 photos were taken by A.C. Storme.

(1905 Souvenir Book reissued and available for purchase at the Williamson County Historical Society, 1965 photos from Marion Daily Republican, 1962 photos by A.C. Storme (Dontated to WCHS) )