The Marion Supply Company located at 200-04 E. Main Street across the street from the U.S. Post Office was built to be part of the Elles Store Company.

The Elles Brothers Company began in 1877 comprised of Edward A. and Albert K. Elles, the founders, and later Charles and Lewis Elles joined with them. In 1885 the company was incorporated as the Elles Store Company.

The industrious company had locations in Carterville, Herrin and Marion. At the turn of the century, they operated an Elles Store in the ground floor of the Goodall Hotel on the Marion Square. This store was primarily dedicated to dry goods and house ware.

Best I can tell, the Marion Supply Company building on E. Main Street was built around 1910. Prior to that, in 1907, only residential homes were listed on this section of East Main Street, including the home of Robert Ingersoll and W.J. Spiller at 206 E. Main.

The new, spacious store appears to have been the “Walmart” of their day, selling buggies, wagons, farm supplies, hardware, house ware, furniture and dry goods including shoes and clothing.

This business appears to have closed down about 1926, since an article found in the February 1927 Marion Daily Republican speaks of the sale of the building with the company mentioned in past tense. The article details the sale of the building to the C.I.P.S. Company for $35,000 with occupancy by the new tenant expected before the end of the year. C.I.P.S. remained in this location serving as their local and division office until their new location on W. Main was built in the 1970’s.

The legal paperwork for the transaction was handled by Attorney George Stone on behalf of C.I.P.S. and Attorney Leonard Colp representing Marion Supply Company.

From just before 1920 to its closing around 1926, the only other business in this block was next door to the east, at the corner of Main and N. Mechanic, which was occupied by Elijah Lewis Motor Sales Company at 204-206 E. Main. Elijah Lewis was a two term Marion Mayor.

The entire building was demolished in July 2021.

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(Photo and some data from Williamson County in the World War; Marion Daily Republican article date February 1927; Marion Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on July 22, 2013, revised July 2021)