Marion Illinois History Preservation

1950, Washington School Built in 1886 Still Serving Marion Youth

Posted on December 30, 2013 by wcihsMay 16, 2014

Washington School, Built in 1886 Still Serving Marion’s Youth

The Washington School is probably the best constructed school building in the city system with the exception of the recently constructed Jefferson building. Rumors dating back nearly a decade have had the old seventh and eighth grade school condemned, or should be condemned. But the fact remains and backed up by state investigators, that the school is not condemned, never has been, and will not be condemned unless situation unforeseen make it so. Continue reading →

Daniel’s Food Market, 514 N. Market St.

Posted on December 30, 2013 by wcihsJanuary 6, 2014

In November of 1950, the old Illinois Central train depot in the 500 block of N. Market Street got temporarily repurposed and was occupied as a grocery store for twenty years. Upon its original opening it was called Daniel’s Super Market, 514 N. Market St., and drew over 2,000 people who made purchases in the store. During the opening the store gave away 2,500 orchids to women who visited the store. Continue reading →

1950, The Murder of Paul Rametta

Posted on December 30, 2013 by wcihsDecember 30, 2013

Paul Rametta Shot Down By Luther Frey, Marion Daily Republican, Dec. 8, 1950

A gun duel which blazed briefly across North Court Street early Thursday evening (Dec. 7) left one man dead as his slayer calmly telephoned police. The slain man was Paul Rametta, Marion truck operator.

Held in the county jail Friday pending a coroner’s investigation of the shooting was Luther Frey, 31, of Marion, ex-convict. Continue reading →

1915, Old Landmark Moved Off The Library Site

Posted on December 29, 2013 by wcihsJune 8, 2014

Old Land Mark Moved Off the Library Site

The last section of the Grandma Cline house on South Market Street was removed today leaving the lot vacant that has not been so in 60 years or more.

Isaac Campbell, grandfather of City Clerk Geo. C. Campbell, erected this dwelling in the summer of 1854 at a time when the number of houses all told in Marion did not exceed 50. Continue reading →

Pillow, Earl H. 1889-1918, WWI Casualty in France

Posted on December 29, 2013 by wcihsDecember 29, 2013

Earl Herschel Pillow was born in Shawneetown, Illinois, June 1, 1889. He came to Marion in early boyhood with his parents, Judge and Mrs. George W. Pillow. His education was gained in the public and high schools of the city, graduating from Marion High School in the Class of 1906. He graduated from a business course in Brown’s Business College in 1912.

He was an employee of the Old Ben Mining Company at West Frankfort for six years and was chief clerk for the company when, in answer to his country’s call, he entered the army in April, 1918. On April 29, 1918, he left Marion for Camp Dix, and after eight days there sailed for France. Continue reading →