Once Marion was the home of a real bottling company. Not much history is known about it, such as when it officially opened or closed. There may have been more than one such business, but this is the only one there has been any information.
In an Oct. 1926 edition of The Crittenden Press, there was a long listing of businesses in Marion, a very impressive list to be sure, one of the businesses was the "Marion Bottling Works". It stated W. C. Byarley is manager of the Marion Bottling Works, a business which he carries on in his establishment on South Marin Street. Mr. Byarley manufactures and bottles the "Hip-Hy" drinks.
From the late Crittenden County historian, Thomas Tucker, came the information that this place was located where the Marion Machine Works building was, now Riley's Tool Company. And that the drink Hip-Hy was a fruit-like drink, such as the old orange and lemon sodas.
Other establishments located in this area in previous years were the old tanyard, and then the Marion Distillery. All places needing a plentiful source of water. There was a ever-flowing spring that ran through this property that supplied the water for these businesses in those year.
These priceless bottles from the old Marion Bottling Works are on display in the Crittenden County Historical Museum at 124 East Bellville St. A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Byarley or Byarly was donated also.
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