Improvements Change History

 With progress and improvements comes change and many times loss of old history. So it is with the recent improvement of the sidewalk on North Main Street. 

  The sidewalks may just be a small thing, but they were a part of our local history. The installing of the new concrete sidewalks have to do with re-placing of power lines on that side of the street.

In the early editions of The Crittenden Press there were little tidbits of information that was important at the time to the growth of Marion. Such it was with the new granite sidewalks that the new homes close to downtown was installing.

 

Many things make up the character of a small town.  Some things we see everyday, but in our busy lives we don't have the time to see all the interesting little things that make our town special.  

These sidewalks were being laid in the early 1900's when this section of Marion was growing and new homes were being built. 

 From articles during this time period that I have read, having these new white concrete walk ways was very important to the families.  Most of the home owners paid for their section of the walks to be constructed and it was a sign of a prosperous family. 

They thought it added much to the appearance of their home, which it indeed did.  In the photos above you can see the old sidewalk toppers and how it adds a touch of class to the owners property. 

Although this stretch of North Main Street has newly laid concrete sidewalks, the decorative topper was saved and stayed in place, so we have the old with the new, which is a really nice compromise, and the touch of class from over a hundred years ago is still there.