The last spike on the Illinois Central line from Chicago to Cairo was completed in 1854. The I.C. line passed thru Carbondale, but the 18 mile gap to Marion, Illinois left our town with the problem of having to use oxen and horses to transport goods to the rail lines. Continue reading
Category Archives: All Marion Content
Marion Fire Engine #7 in service in the early 1960’s sitting in front of the Fire Station at corner of N. Van Buren and West Union which is now in 2012 a parking lot. With small streets and a fire house designed for horse drawn wagons negotiating in and out of the small fire house was a challenge.
(Photo courtesy of the Williamson County Historical Society)
George Robertson’s Livery Stable operated thru the end of the 1800’s and was located on East Main St. behind the Goodall Hotel on the corner of S. Madison St. Continue reading
The Crescent cafe appears to have come into existence around 1920. The photo’s above show the cafe as it was in 1923 and then 1926 when it was located at 115 N. Market St. just across Union Street from Brown’s Business College. In 2012 the Razor’s Edge Barber shop is occupying this location. Directories indicate that by 1927 the cafe had moved across the street to 110 N. Market behind the bank building just off the square and was still in existence in 1929. In the 1923 photo shown left to right are Boyd and Leesa Robinson (owners), Al Caraway, Bernice Cathey, Hazel Chamness, Daisy Elliot, Johnnie Anderson, Frank Williams, John Gilbert and Harry Goodner.
(Photos courtesy of the Williamson County Historical Society)
This photo was marked Champion Shoe Store, tho on the window of the shop it says Marion Modern Methods. Clearly it is a shoe repair shop.Photo appears to date from around 1910. Location to date is unknown. If you know anything about this business or its location, let me know.
(Photo courtesy of the Williamson County Historical Society)