Under cold skies with temperatures just above freezing, Marion residents lined up for the opening of the Jer-zee Drive-In at 923 East Center Street for its 75th year. Kevin Ellinwood was first in line on Valentine’s Day. “I’ve been coming here on Opening Day for 49 years,” Ellinwood said. As a child, Ellinwood grew up […]
Places
Couple Preserves Local History in Labor of Love at Owens Station and Opera House
A Pleasant Township couple rolled up their sleeves to preserve part of Marion County’s past. “For my last birthday, my family got me a chain saw. I do a little bit of everything!” said Donna Mattix. From laying stone to building using reclaimed wood, Donna and Dennis Mattix work to restore Marion’s history. “I love […]
St. Mary Church – Celebrating 125 years of the dedication of the sandstone Church
Catholics Present at Marion’s Start Roman Catholics have been a part of Marion’s history since its founding and have grown and evolved with it. When Marion, Ohio was founded by Eber Baker on April 3, 1822, a handful of Catholics lived here. Most settlers were of English descent but came from Ireland to escape […]
The Palace Lights Up Downtown Marion for 95 Years
On August 30, 1928, more than 3,200 people welcomed Marion’s “Half-A-Million-Dollar Palace” as the Palace Theatre opened its doors to the public. Designed by John Eberson, a famed Austrian-American theatre architect, the Palace is one of only 16 atmospheric theatres still in existence in the United States. Generations of Marion residents have sat in the […]
Birch Tree Bookery Offers New & Used Books
Tucked in between Hayes Glass and the Metro office at 117 North Greenwood, a new independent bookstore offers thousands of new and used books for readers of all ages. Crystal and Justin Bessler offer a range of genres at the Birch Tree Bookery. “We both have always loved to read!” Crystal said. “Many of our […]
Gamers Find Fun at Curiosity
A last-minute decision to attend a gaming convention in Columbus in 2015 changed one Marion couple’s lives and their business plan. “We walked into the Columbus Convention Center and we saw people playing games everywhere. We said, ‘Marion doesn’t have that!” said Jessica Deyarmond. The couple, who owned an antique store at 141 S. Main […]
