Marion Illinois History Preservation

City Scavenger

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Sam LattucaAugust 10, 2018

” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]One city government position that we don’t appear to have seen in Marion since the 1950’s was that of City Scavenger. The job was an appointed position and according to Marion’s Laws and Ordinances for the … Continue reading →

Briggs, Warren George, The First Escape from Marion Federal Prison

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Sam LattucaApril 3, 2017

One of the most unusual escapes in the history of American prisons took place near Marion on July 21, 1971. At about 1:45 that afternoon, Warren George Briggs, bank robber turned scientist, leapt over two barbed wire-topped 15 foot high … Continue reading →

Prater, Charles R., Jr. 1949-2014, Civic and Youth Sports Leader

Posted on July 21, 2014 by wcihsJuly 21, 2014

Charles R. Prater, Jr., active youth sports and civic leader, was born on January 3, 1949 in Pontiac, Michigan, the son of Charles R. Prater Sr. and Marcella (Gutek) Prater.

Early in the 1950’s, the Prater family moved to Marion and later purchased a home at 419 Charlotte Road. Charles’ father managed Sherman’s Department store on the square in Marion, while Charles Jr. attended Catholic seminary in his youth.

Charles was active in the Marion Jaycees, holding several local offices and participating in numerous community service projects held by the club in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He was also a member of the Jaycees International Senate and served as the Nation Director of Jaycees of Illinois during that period. Continue reading →

1924, Marion Has a Beautiful Park

Posted on July 13, 2014 by wcihsJuly 13, 2014

Marion Has a Beautiful Park

Large Sixteen Acre Plot at Garfield and DeYoung May be Developed

Marion, the city of Opportunity now has a park of sixteen acres expanse, set with scores of beautiful shade trees and located in one of the most beautiful and accessible parts of the city. That may sound startling but it’s nothing new. For twelve years, sixteen acres of ground donated to the city for a city park, has lain idle. With the arrival of summer, many public spirited citizens have become aware of the fact that the city park which people have been desiring has been here all the time, and an attempt is being made to arouse enough interest in the venture to develop the park. Continue reading →

2014, Marion Opens New Police Department

Posted on May 29, 2014 by wcihsMay 29, 2014

New Marion Police Department Opens

The Marion Police Department hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 to dedicate the new Marion Police Department. A poorly advertised open house followed until 2 p.m. and the public was welcome to attend the event.

The newly modified building is located at 1001 W. DeYoung Street in Marion and used to serve as the Richard G. Wilson U.S. Army Reserve Center which had been unoccupied since August 2011 when the armory was moved to a larger, newer facility. Continue reading →