Thomas S. Croft of Tolu, remembers the end of Hemp Growing In Crittenden County.

 This interesting article appeared in The Crittenden Press

***

This article appeared in the Crittenden Press August 13, 1981. It is a great piece of history as it was told by told by people that actually remember the hemp growing period in our past.

No one seemed to think much about some of the stranger qualities of their crop when they grew marijuana legally in Crittenden County during World War II.

Thomas S. Croft, 55, of Rt. 9, Marion, can remember waking up with puffy eyes and a stuffy nose the day after he worked in his father's hemp fields near Tolu.

It had a gummy feeling to it, Croft said, rubbing his fingers together at the memory. Handling hemp was like touching the sap of a cedar Christmas tree, he said. "

You could stand on a hill, and the bottoms smelled like they were full of skunks," Mrs. Roe Williams, remembered. Her husband, along with most of his neighbors in the Cave-In-Rock area grew hemp for the government in 1942-43 to produce a seed supply. Seeds were then grown elsewhere to produce the fiber needed for rope and other uses.

At the time it was being grown, we had just lost Manila in the war, farmers in the area considered it their patriotic duty to grow the plants for the "strong cordage" needed by the Navy and for packing between a ship's hulls. Hemp had a tendency for plugging holes. Its the only crop that was known to be grown for the government on contract, so it must have been a pretty crucial thing.

We didn't even think about the value of it, Mrs. Williams said, when she was reminded of he plat's worth on the drug market today. We thought we were being patriotic. When you said marijuana to us, we didn't know what you were talking about.

Not just anyone could grow the hemp, Mrs. Williams said. The federal government inspected the character of the grower before he obtained the seed. It was considered a narcotic even then, although most people probably weren't aware of it. We knew it was something they didn't want you to have around. When they traveled to Lexington to obtain the seed allotment, the government had a supply piled in the center of a tobacco warehouse, surrounded by guards. They considered it a very crucial item.

The county extension agent held meetings to teach farmers how to tend their new crop. Growing hemp was a primitive process, even by 1940 standards. The stalk was too long to go through a combine, so all the work had to be done by hand. The growing season was similar to that of corn. At harvest time the plants could have grown to be 12 feet tall with stalks as thick as a man's arm.

They were sown in 42-inch rows, three to six feet apart. After the male plants pollinated the females, they died and had to be cut out by hand. During the harvest, the plants were cut off close to the ground with corn knives and were dried in shocks for two to four weeks. Then the shocks were placed on a canvas sheet and beaten with sticks a little longer than broomsticks until the seeds fell from beneath the leaves where they clustered. The plants seemed to do especially well on rich, river bottom soil.

Farmers took the seed to a Sturgis milling company for cleaning and selling back to the government; which gave them to farmers up north to be grown for the hemp fiber.

Many acres of the hemp fell victim to river flooding. Most farmers made a better return on their crop the second year they tried it , but some got kind of disgusted and just quit. It wasn't that good a cash crop. The farmers were paid about $10.00 a bushel for the seed. Birds like to eat the seed, and the hemp had a "lot of competition" from giant ragweed, which looked a lot like marijuana and grew nearly as tall, Croft said.

Back then, we didn't have any chemicals. We had the hoe. Come a rainy season, those horse weeds really did like to get up and go.

By 1944 the farmers who were finally getting the hang of growing hemp were out of luck. There wasn't any market for it, Nylon, which was cheaper and easier to produce, took its place.

Ku Klux Klan Visits Marion

 

Ku Klux Klan Visits Marion

Crittenden Press, April 18, 1924.

Wednesday evening, when a large audience had gathered to hear the closing sermon of Dr. Chesterfield Turner, of Frankfort, who has been conducting a series of revival meetings at the First Baptist Church, about 25 Knights of the Ku Klux Klan entered the church, dressed in the regulation regalia of that organization.

At the beginning of the song service preceding the preaching the Klansmen entered the door, marched up the aisle in double file and formed themselves into a line before the alter bowing for a moment in silent prayer.

When they arose from their knees, Dr. Turner addressing the visitors said; "Knights of the Invisible Empire, we welcome you." The leader then handed the minister an envelope containing a donation of $34 and a note stating that it was given as a good will offering in appreciation of the great good Dr. Turner had done during his stay in Marion.

The minister replied he would accept the offering in the same spirit it was given. The Klansmen then marched in a body from the church and the services of the evening proceeded as usual.

The evening service closed the revival meetings at this church and Dr. Turner left Thursday morning for his home. Much good was done and large crowds attended the services both afternoon and night services.

Klan Orator Here Last Friday Night

April 25, 1925

Large crowd greet Dr. E. H. Lougher at the Court House Friday.

A big audience assembled at the court house Friday evening to hear the address of Dr. E. H. Lougher, a Klan orator of acknowledged ability, on Americanism and the principles of the Ku Klux Klan organization.

Every seat in the house was occupied and even standing room taken. The audience listened with close attention to what the speaker had to say in regard to the Klan, and even those who are not in sympathy with this organization afterward expressed themselves as having heard nothing to kick about.

The meeting was opened by a prayer and the singing of America. Dr. Lougher spoke for an hour and thirty minutes, explaining the principles of the organization and the membership of the organization.

The first part of his address was taken up by him in explanation of his former work. He told the audience that his organization stood for America for Americans, restricted immigration, for law enforcement and the Bible in public schools. He explained that the membership of the organization was composed of native born Americans that had accepted the Christian religion.

The K. K. K. was called a secret organization, he said, but there was nothing secret about it except its membership.

Tolu Bank History

 Let's follow along with the Crittenden Press items and learn of Tolu's new bank. The old bank building is only a brick decayed shell today, but so important in it's day.

Happenings at Tolu in October 1903 - A new bank for the town of Tolu.

Mr. P. M. Whitt, of Owenton, Ky., was here working in the interest of a bank at this place, and succeeded Monday in organizing with the following stockholders: P.M. Whitt, Forest Harris, Wm. Barnett, E. R. Dowell, P. B. Croft, L. A. Weldon, Mrs. A. S. Bennett, S. S. Sullenger, W. D. Sullenger, Dr. I. H. Clement and J. B. Perry. The new bank will have a capital stock of $15,000.

P. B. Croft was chosen president; J. Bethel Perry, vice-president; E. F. Smith of Owenton Ky. cashier. Tolu is in a rich agricultural section and a bank there is need and should pay.

January 21, 1904. The new bank has been named the Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Until the new bank building can be built they will conduct business from Harris and Co.'s store house. They will be ready for business at noon Tuesday, Jan. 18^th.

February 4, 1904, John W. Weldon of Croften, Ky. was here examining the plans and specification of the new bank building. Mr. Weldon will be in charge of construction.

March 17, 1904, one of the stockholders, W. E. Dowell, went to Henderson this week to purchase and bring back the first load of brick for the erection of the new bank building.

March 31,1904 another load of brick has arrived at our landing, which makes 1,000 bricks shipped here from Henderson for the erection of the new bank. Work on the building will begin at once by the contractor, J. W. Weldon.

April 14, 1904 Ground was broke last week for the new bank. Supplies are beginning to arrive at the landing. Fifty lbs. of lime was shipped to this place to be used in building the bank. A. C. Melton has charge of the brickwork, while J. W. Weldon was in charge of doing the carpenter work.

The impressive iron front for the bank has arrived at our landing and will be ready to sit in its proper place in the building as soon as the brickwork is finished.

July 1, 1904, the furniture was put in the bank building today and the key turned over to the big Cashier E. F. Smith, who can be found during banking hours in his new quarters near the post office.

July 28, 1904, The Farmers and Merchants Bank have moved into their new building and are now fully equipped to attend to all portions of the banking business. They have the finest bank building in the county and the bank furniture is simply grand. Everything would be a credit to a large city.

The cashier, Edward F. Smith, will take pleasure in showing you everything of interest and especially the fine screen door, burglar proof safe, etc.

All are welcome and for those who wish to start a savings account no amount is too small to be accepted.

The Board of Directors are the very best businessmen in this part of the country. They are: P. B. Croft, J. B. Perry, L. A. Weldon, S. S. Sullenger, W. D. Sullenger, T. F. Harris, E. F. Smith, W. E. Dowell and I. H. Clement.

Our community is proud of the bank and will give it a liberal support.

(This bank mysteriously burned on the night of August 2, 1923. Things were never the same after this event.)

Marion's Beginning

 

    This is one of the earliest photograph of Marion that I have seen.   The tall building on the right is the old Red Food store and later Western Auto store.

Formation of the Town of Marion

Since our town of Marion will be having a birthday on Feb. 22, 2026, her one hundred eighty-second, we just naturally need to think of the early beginning. Crittenden became a county in January of 1842, but Dr. John Gilliam in 1841 already had a plan in mind for the formation of a town, which would be Marion. The stage is set.

***

The Act of 1841

At the Livingston County elections of May, 1841, Dr. Gilliam was overwhelmingly elected to succeed James Watts in the Kentucky Legislature, and he immediately started composition of an Act of that body in its Fall session of 1841.

The Act, creating the new county of Crittenden, in honor of the Governor of Kentucky at the time of its creation, from the northwestern portion of Livingston County, was passed in January of the next year, and was signed into law by Governor John J. Crittenden, January 26, 1842.

The Act establishing Crittenden County quite obviously was completed with the clear formulation of the plan to establish the new county's seat of justice at its only really acceptable site – the present location of the city of Marion.

The Act directed that the first county and circuit courts were to be held at the home of Samuel Ashley, which was the former tavern and voting place of Cross Keys, at about the territorial center of the newly formed Crittenden County. (This site was either at or very near the site of the late Fred Gilbert's residence. This site now is marked by a historical marker made possible by descendant Barry Gilbert). The location was only one and one-half miles north of the Salem-Bellville crossing on the Fords Ferry Road.

The Act also named a Selection Commission, and gave them power to receive donations of land for the erection of the planned public buildings of the county, and thus the stage was set for Dr. Gilliam's final step in the formulation of Marion.

***

Selection of site for county seat

The Selection Commission met at the home of James Cruce on the first Monday in April 1842 and one of the first matters brought before them was Dr. Gilliam's offer of the donation of the cross roads site. (W. Bellville, Main Street, Fords Ferry Road and very near his log cabin structure).

The Commission, was made up of Thomas J. Flanary, Frederick D. Word, Robert N. Lewis, Robert T. Leeper and James Golson.

After three sessions, they recommended to the Court that Dr. Gilliam's offer of five acres of land be accepted, and on April 12, 1842, the following deed was recorded: John S. Gilliam & Nancy, his wife, for and in consideration of one dollar and donating to the county of Crittenden certain lands for the erection of public buildings for said county as provided for by an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Of Kentucky, have this day, with the advice and consent of the Commissioners appointed by said Act to locate said county seat, conveyed to the Justices of the County Court and their successors in office forever, for public use, all that certain piece or parcel of land situated, lying and being in the County aforesaid at the crossing of the Belleville and Main Road to Fords Ferry Road. One square being on the Southwest corner of said crossroads being laid off by said commissioners for a public square. Thus began the construction of the new county's Seat of Justice.

(Dr. John S. Gilliam, the Father of Marion, and his wife, Nancy S. Gilliam, at one time, had stones in the Old Marion Cemetery. Both of their stones are now on the list of the earlier stones that are missing or destroyed.)

***

Town of Marion was born

The Act of the legislature incorporating the town of Marion was passed and signed by the governor on February 22, 1844. The town was named after Gen. Francis Marion. a famed guerrilla general during the Revolutionary War. John S. Gilliam, Harmon Hubands and James Duvall were appointed to lay the town off, which they did.

***

The justices of the county courts in Kentucky of the 1840’s had the responsibility of total governmental administration to all parts of the counties not incorporated, thus Marion in the years of its formative stage, was under the supervision of the Crittenden County Court. The justices of the county were: Joseph Hughes, James Cruce, Robert H. Haynes, Abner Larrows(LaRue), Peter Clinton, John D. Gregory, Martin Williams, Robert Hill, Henry R.D. Coleman and Samuel L. Phillips.

***

In 1851 Marion was re-incorporated with the Laws of Kentucky and an Act to incorporate the town of Marion was written, thus the town would have its own set of laws and officers. They were approved December 20, 1851.

After this Act was passed the Crittenden County Court passed the town affairs to the newly appointed Board of Trustees. The elected officials were: Trustees John W. Blue, H. L. Leigh, William Rochester, W. C. Carnahan and J. N. Woods; Treasurer J. W. Wilson; Marshall John Fowler; Jess Tyner Assessor and R. L. Bigham City Clerk.

***

Original Incorporation Records

The original Articles of Incorporation for Marion, written in 1851, called for five Trustees and duties that the Trustees were given in the operation of the city. The board of trustees shall have power and authority to declare what fines shall be imposed upon all persons who shall be guilty of indecent of boisterous conduct, such as disturbs the peace and is against the dignity of the town.

They shall have power to declare fines to be imposed on persons who shall be guilty of boisterous conduct on the Sabbath, running horses, public swearing in a clamorous manner, fighting, shooting with guns or pistols, making reports by burning powder, blowing of horns, crying aloud by day or night in a disorderly manner, and all riotous conduct in said town; the fines in such cases, and for such offenses, to be ascertained by a jury, under the direction of the police judge of said town, as in cases of breeches of the peace, in any sum not exceeding twenty dollars for each and every offense, and in default of payment ten days imprisonment, or both.

Records also state that a clerk, assessor, treasurer, and marshal for the said town will be appointed. They will perform the duties of their respective offices according to law, and to the best of their abilities. (some of their duties abbreviated)

The Clerk duties shall be to attend all meetings of the board, and to preserve the books, papers, and records belonging to the office.

The Assessor, shall be be to call upon all persons in said town of Marion, who are subject to be taxed, and make out a true list of their taxable property.

The Treasurer duty shall be to receive and give receipts for all money’s paid him and keep a fair record of the fiscal concerns of the board.

The Marshal of the town of Marion shall hold the office two years, and he shall have the same powers, have the same jurisdiction, exercise the same authority, perform the same duties as a constable of the county of Crittenden, he shall be a peace officer of the town of Marion, with authority to command the power to suppress riots, fighting, or any manner of disturbance of the peace.

***

Present Form of City Government Created in 1898

Crittenden Press, Jan. 1, 1898 – Marion is now a full fledged city, with her own mayor and board of council. The new board met Monday evening last, with new mayor, R. L. Moore in the chair. The following officers were elected: Marshal and Street Inspector -B. L. Wilborn; City- Clerk H. Koltinsky; Treasurer- G. G. Hammond; and City Attorney- John A Moore.

***

I’m thankful for all these past leaders and citizens to have the foresight and courage to start the town of Marion all those many years ago. You are not forgotten.

History of the "First Schools"

 

Back in the 1930’s Rev. James F. Price wrote a series of articles called Facts and Reminiscences About Crittenden County. It’s a wonderful series of articles that contains facts about our schools, churches, the formation of the county, early settlers to the area and much more. This is a small section that he wrote about the first schools in the Marion area.

The schools of Crittenden County have a varied history from the most meager beginnings to their present efficiency. Some dates and facts may not be strictly correct, but this has been compiled from the best data obtainable.

The first school in Crittenden County was taught in a building opposite the Harry Perry house, one mile south of Marion.(The now empty field next to Norman Dr.) It was taught by James Hanks in 1842. The year in which the county was organized.

James Hanks’ father’s name was George Hanks; his grandmother’s name was Ann Hanks. They came from Claytonville, Anderson County, S. C. Ann Hanks had a daughter named Nancy Hanks. According to tradition she was Abraham Lincoln’s mother. At least James Hanks claimed to be a cousin of Lincoln.

The next one who taught in the building was J. O. Hadden. We have no data to enable us to determine how long any of these early teachers taught; probably from one to three years.

Hadden was followed by James Duvall, and he was followed by George W. Cone. During the time Cone taught the school was moved into the town of Marion. It has not been determined in what building the school was held after its removal. Mr. Cone taught four or five years.

The next instructors for Marion were Mr. Primer and Miss Carey, both from the State of New York. They taught in what was called The Old Seminary, where the Methodist parsonage now stands. At some of these early schools board and laundry for students cost only $1.25 per week. In music instructions were given on the accordion.

In these days they held what was called "loud school;" that is, the pupils studied out loud. The strongest voices would nearly drown out the weaker ones. If there came a lull of voices in the school room the teacher would stamp his foot and cry out, "Get to your lessons." Then such a bedlam of voices would burst forth that would almost make a thunderstorm pale into insignificance.

The next teacher at Marion was Clark Johnson. He was the first man that ever examined the writer for a certificate. He was very droll in his ways, but a fine scholar and an excellent teacher. The writer remembers that he had a box about five feet in every dimension, full of books, mosly Latin and Greek. He taught in the building called "Long Tom". (It was located were Gilbert’s Funeral Home is now.)

After this Mrs. White taught for two years; then Prof. A. Wood taught for a time. From 1869 to 1873, Prof. John L. Cade taught in a little brick building where the Graded School building now stands.(where Marion Jr. High School use to be, an empty lot now.) Mrs. Meary was his assistant. She was a very fine teacher.

The government of the school was by a system of merits. You would be given so many merits at the beginning of the week. Every failure in recitation or any act of misconduct would take away a merit. Some pupils would have few merits left at the end of the week. Bud Bigham had more money than most of the boys and he did like to talk to the girls. He would buy merits from some of the boys so he could have some at the end of the week, for every loving chat cost him one or more merits.

J. J. Nall and R. H. Adams took charge of the school in the fall of 1876. It was called the Male and Female Academy. One taught in the little brick building which stood on the present Graded School grounds; the other taught in the brick Presbyterian Church building which stood in the old cemetery. (on the corner of Moore St. and Hwy. 60 W)

Two early schools in Crittenden County made of logs.       Lilly Dale

                                                                   Sisco Chapel

The Tornado/Cyclone of 1890 through Crittenden County

 

The devastating tornado/cyclone of March 27, 1890 has a history well documented on the internet. From what little information I can gather, it must have followed the Ohio River in Illinois, crossed over to Crittenden around Carrsville, continued it’s path through mostly northern Crittenden county. I have only sketches of information, as there are no Crittenden Presses available for 1890 until September of that year. This is one reason why local newspapers are so important for our past history. Most of the history of this event are lost forever.

***

The Beginning

The tornado outbreak of March 27,1890, was one of the most prolific, deadly, and damaging to ever strike the middle Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys.

In a triangle roughly bounded by Saint Louis, Louisville, and Huntsville, no fewer than two dozen tornadoes of at least F2 strength raked across the countryside. Many more weaker tornadoes, records of which have been lost to time, may have struck as well

Early on the morning of the 27th, a deep low pressure system was spinning over central Kansas. A warm front reached to the east, splitting Kentucky in half length-wise. A cold front hung to the south into Texas.

The counter-clockwise turning of the Kansas low brought plenty of moisture northward from the Gulf of Mexico. As the moisture interacted with the low and its fronts, showers and storms broke out

The low over Kansas deepened and headed northeast into central Illinois by evening. As it did so, its cold front advanced into the Mississippi River valley. As the front encountered a very moist and unstable atmosphere that afternoon, numerous super-cell thunderstorms exploded from southeastern Missouri into Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

The first tornadoes developed south of St. Louis around 3pm. As the outbreak spread to the east, additional tornadoes struck. The final twisters occurred east of Nashville around 10pm. Louisville was near the eastern edge of the outbreak, with its tornado disaster taking place about 9pm.

***

From an Illinois newspaper - Coming over the hills at Carrsville, it took up Deer Creek, and therefore allowed Hardin county to escape, although the wind blew and hail fell as large as quail eggs.

It passed on through Kentucky felling timber and demolishing houses and etc. Dutch Sullenger, living near Tolu was killed and his house blown to fragments.

John Robinson’s daughter was killed also, and many injured. (I was unable to find any more information about who Dutch Sullenger was, or about the daughter of John Robinson.)

From local information - The tornado made a path through the around Mt. Zion church and cemetery, it destroyed the church.  (From History of Mt. Zion Church)

It not only destroyed the church and the neighborhood, it picked up Dr. Moreland's wife, Susan and their daughter, Gladis, whom she had clutched tightly in her arms and carried them to a neighboring community called Tradewater in Union County about seven miles from Mt. Zion.  When they were found, Susan was still holding her little girl.  They are buried together in the old part of the cemetery.  Their monument reads, "God would not let thee cross the dark abyss alone, but on they mother's breast did waft three home."

Their tombstone with the inscription, Susan M. Moreland (Sept. 29, 1865-March 27, 1890 and Gladis Gazelle Moreland, Infant (Oct. 14, 1899-March 27,1890) "Killed in Cyclone"

We will probably never know the total amount of deaths, for without the local paper, I can find no more records.

*****

This entry was in Crittenden County Order Book 1889-1900, dated March 29, 1890. Ordered by the court, that fifty dollars be appropriated for the tornado suffers of the county.

A flyer was also issued: A CRY FOR HELP! To the People of Crittenden County:

At a meeting of the citizens of Crittenden County, at Marion, on March 29^th, the following resolutions were adopted:

    Whereas a destructive tornado swept across the county on the 27^th, killing a number of our fellow citizens, wounding and disabling others, destroying the homes of many, leaving men, women and children, without food or raiment and in a suffering needy condition, therefore

    Resolved that those of the county who escaped this great calamity, be appealed to for relief for the distressed and suffering in this their great time of need, by making immediate contributions of money, food, clothing, bedding or other articles of household necessity and comfort,

    Resolved that the people be requested to hold public meetings in their respective neighborhoods for the purpose of facilitating this great work of charity, as the cry for help is urgent and relief must be speedily given.

    Resolved that J. A. Moore and Geo. C. Gray be and are appointed a committee to receive, at Marion, the donations of those who may live a distance from the field of want, and to forward the same to the sufferers.

The people of every neighborhood are earnestly requested to give this important matter their immediate attention, the immediate wants of our friends and neighbors are pressing. Let us heed their cry for help with open hearts.

J. A. Moore, Chairman,

T. J. Nunn, Secretary

Past Efforts To Save Marion High School

 The old Marion High School building was torn down in the spring of 2024.  It was sad to see it go.  It's only a memory now, as a graveled lot is in it's location.

I  happen to run across these old articles in the archives of the Crittenden Press and found it interesting to read  how some caring folks did try to save it several times and make it useful again, but it just never happened, on account of the cost.

The first I found was in Sept. 24, 1998.  Murray  State University wanted to make a satellite campus for the Murray State University.  I'm not sure what happened with this project, but it never came to  pass.

Here are two other articles I found interesting.

Crittenden Press, June 18, 1992

Plans Made To convert School Into Elderly Housing

Marion’s old Junior High School would be converted into 12 to 14 one-bedroom apartments under a plan being developed by Crittenden County Elderly Housing Corp.

Lois Hicks, president of the not-for-profit public corporation, announced last week the group is applying for a $562,000 low-interest loan from the Farmers Home Administration to buy and renovate the for,mer school, located across the street from the Marion Post Office.

the building, last used as a school in 1981, is now owned by Marion businessman Tommy Wright, Wright has used the building over the past few years as a retail store, for a storage and for light industry

.

The proposal would convert each of the 700 sq. ft. classrooms into a one-bedroom apartment with a kitchen, bath and living room.

The gymnasium would likely be used as a community meeting room.

The three-floor building would be made entirely handicapped accessible, and all apartments would be designed to accommodate people with wheelchairs and walkers.

The Elderly Housing Corp. was organized about a year ago, Hick said, on the suggestion of County Judge Executive John May, who noted a need for alternative housing for the county’s elderly.

Other corporation directors are Peggy Howton, vice president, Jean Greeman, secretary treasurer, Charles Aldridge, Elmer Ibert, Guy and Nellie Lowery, Mickey Myers, Janice Newcom, Edith Russell, Sheryl Watson and Ina Mae Little.

Many Litchfield of PADD said a survey was conducted and confirmed a need for at least 12 additional rental units.

Four other sites were surveyed for either renovation into elderly housing or for new construction. Those were the old hospital building, vacant lots near Fohs Hall and the courthouse, and the Fohs Hall annex, which has since been bought to house the Element Mineral Museum.

The old Junior High building was picked because it was near the downtown, near stores, churches, the post office and other government agencies, and was structurally sound.

It’s a tremendous building, it was said of the structure which was built in 19 38-39 by the WPA. It’s reinforced concrete would cost a ‘zillion’ dollars to try and build it today.

The group should learn, Litchfield said, whether the loan will be funded by late September or early October.

The local project has to compete for about $1.2 million available statewide for FmHA for non-profit elderly housing.

But, at present, Lietchfield said she was aware of only one other application for money.

If the loan is approved, interim financing would be arranged, probably through a local bank, until the construction project could be completed and the loan taken over by FmHA.

Construction could begin with 60 days of loan approval, and could be expected to be completed in six or seven months.

The exterior of the building would not be changed substantially,. Windows would be replaced with new, energy efficient ones, parking would be developed along with landscaping.

(This project failed as the grant never came through)

Crittenden Press, October 18, 2001

Plan would revive old school as new location for city hall.

One of Marion’s oldest and prized landmarks may again have a chance at new life if local officials follow through on a plan to save the historic building.

On Monday night, Marion’s city council gave Mayor Mick Alexander the authority to enter into an option agreement with Tommy Wright for the City of Marion to purchase the old Marion High School on South College Street. If feasible, the city could soon call the deteriorating building home, converting the former school into Marion City Hall.

The council is also eyeing a building owned by Frances Grady behind the school that was formerly used as a bandroom and special education building. Both option agreements would give the city one year to make a decision on the properties at an agreed price.

Alexander would not disclose the discussed purchase price for either property, saying that information could jeopardize the deal with Wright and Grady.

Bart Frazer, legal counsel to the city of Marion, said the parking lot located on the school’s grounds would not be a part of the potential purpose. That paved lot is currently owned and used by the Marion United Methodist Church.

Last year, attempts by local officials to purchase the school and its surrounding property for use as a joint city-county justice center were hampered by real estate acquisition discussions involving the parking lot.

Frazer said the plan to purchase the school is not intended to exclude the county from joining the city in any future ventures on the property. He said the primary reasons for seeking purchase of the property at this time are to save the building from further deterioration and to give the city a potential prime location for new offices.

"One consideration is to put in a drive-thru window," Alexander said, "That is really needed: for payment of utility bills and similar transactions."

Alexander said he would not know to w hat extent the city could utilize property until an architectural study could be completed.

If feasible, he said, it is possible that the administrative offices and the police and fire departments could all be moved. In that case, the current city hall building could be razed to make way for another structure or parking.

He added, however, that a more likely scenario would be to keep the fire department at its present location, allowing room for expansion when other offices move out of the building.

The mayor said the city has enough money in reserve to get the building "stabilized," repairing the roof and other structural problems that have arisen in nearly 20 years without regular maintenance. Several exterior problems are obvious, broken windows, crumbing woodwork and unattached gutters – but extensive water damage exists inside on either end of the building covered by a flat roof.

Alexander said any use of the property by the city would maintain the historical integrity and outward appearance of the structure.

Though Frazer said the city would welcome the county’s involvement with the development of the property, inviting the jail to the site is not a part of the plan. Under the previous city-county justice center plan, the jail, city police, sheriff’s department and administrative offices of the courts would have been located on the property.

Frazer said relocating the administrative offices of the courts – or circuit clerk’s office – to the old high school would still seem a viable option.

This most recent effort to save the historic school marks the third time in four years the property had been considered for the development by local officials. Prior to last year’s justice center plan, a 1998 study looked at converting the structure to a center for higher education.

***

This project was finally closed in the year 2003, the city had spent about $50,000 studying the building renovation and an estimated cost for the project came close to $9 million dollars. Council members decided it was a lost cause to try and renovate the old building.