Historic Marion, North Carolina

RV Rallies allow for free time for exploring local sites.  Today we visit Marion.

Marion was founded in conflict.  There was a faction in the community that wanted the Seat of McDowell County located several miles away, near Buck Creek.  Donated land made a planned city possible and the Marion was established on March 14, 1844.  The State Legislature sanctioned Marion as the city's name in 1845.  The city is named for Revolutionary Hero, Brigadier General Francis Marion, known as the "Swamp Fox."

Community Bank of Marion
was built in 1903.
Today it is Fifth Third Bank.

First Presbyterian Church

was built in 1923.

This brick Center Hall

Colonial caught my eye.

This house is graced by

beautiful bushes &

a carefully crafted

stone wall.

McDowell County Library is
located in the former Post Office.
This building was built in 1937.

Saint John's Episcopal Church

was built in 1883.

The Marion Depot was built
in 1867.  It is the oldest surviving
depot in Western North Carolina
& was in service until the
late 1980's.
It was renovated in 2005.

First Baptist Church was

built in 1914.

McDowell County Courthouse 
was built in 1928.

Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church

was built in 1935.

 Marion is an walkable small city.  Like many other cities, Marion is re-purposing older buildings in an effort to reinvigorate and reinvent its downtown area.