First settled in 1838 by William Farnsworth, Marion was ideally situated nearby Indian Creek and natural springs providing a ready supply of good water. These qualities led the newly designated Linn County Board of Commissioners to name Marion as the county seat of Linn County in 1839. The name “Marion” was chosen to honor General Francis Marion, the highly regarded American Revolutionary War hero, known as the “Swamp Fox” for his guerilla style tactics in the swamps of South Carolina. Laid out in the spring of 1839, the community was centered from its inception around its City Square Park which remains a center of activity to this day.
In October of 1864 after many delays and disappointments the first railroad locomotive steamed into Marion and a definitive period in Marion’s history began. The town’s characterization as a “railroad town” expanded over the years as it became the Division Point for the railroad, offering long-distance passenger and freight service to the east and west. By 1977, however, the automobile had become king and the railroad industry in Marion was no more. Today, only the Depot Pavilion and a lone caboose in City Square Park stand to remind us of the days when mighty locomotives dominated and shaped Marion’s landscape.
The first school established in Marion held its first sessions in a simple log building during the fall of 1841. From this small start, Marion’s educational system has grown to support two public school districts, two parochial schools and a large home-school program.
Today Marion continues its tradition of forward looking growth, building upon its past to offer its citizens and visitors a wide-ranging opportunities and stimulating place to be. Uptown Marion has been recognized by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs as a Cultural and Entertainment District (CED). Within the CED is an active business district offering unique shops, two museums, a beautiful library, dance studios, restaurants and cafes. City Square Park, still situated amid well-kept historic buildings, remains an anchor of community activity. Each year the Square is host to the Swamp Fox Festival, weekly, live - music concerts in the summer, running events and the nationally acclaimed Marion Arts Festival. Marion’s commitment to quality of living extends beyond its uptown area, with 16 city parks, hiking trails, and the wonderful Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center. Increasingly, residents and visitors alike find themselves at home in Marion.