The Goodall Hotel which occupied the corner of the Marion square and E. Main Street from 1899 till its destruction by fire on March 4, 1941 housed numerous businesses over time including Odum’s Jewelry store, Citizens Trust and Banking Company, the Economy Store, the Elles Store, F.E. Parks Pharmacy and the Virgil Center Dry Goods store.
The lot was again occupied in the early 1950’s by the W.T. Grant building which currently serves as the Marion City Hall.
Not unlike the Cox/Goss fire in 1963, large dangerous sections of brick walls were left looming over the city sidewalks and streets. On March 6th, the remaining embers were being extinguished and the walls were pulled down, which is reflected in this set of photos.
The photo set is attached to the March 4, 1941 news release.
(Photos and content courtesy of Sam Lattuca, 07/11/2013)