Marion County is named for Francis Marion, who was a general in the American Revolutionary War and who lived from 1732 to 1795.
Created: April 1, 1820
County Seat:
Marion 1820 – present
County Courthouse – Marion
Location: 100 North Main Street / Center Street
Built: 1884 – 1886
Style: Second Empire
Architect: David W Gibbs
Contractor: Leffler & Bland
Description: The building faces west and is a two story buff colored Amherst Sandstone structure. The west front has a projecting center section with an arched entrance on the first story and a portico with four Corinthian columns on the second story rising to a pediment at the roof line. A similar section is on the south side. The windows on the first story are arched. On the center of the roof is a large square clock tower with clock at the top with dome and statue of Lady Justice at the top. The facade has several portholes with heads staring out. Four represent the race of man, A Native American chief, an Asian, an African-American, and a Caucasian woman. Also included are pioneers and the age cycle of mankind, going from young to old. One porthole even contains a head familiar to William Shakespeare.
See: The courthouse is similar to the courthouse in Fayette County. The blueprints are a modification from even older designs for the courthouses in Henry County and Union County.
Note: The previous courthouse was constructed by Solomon Geller in 1833.
Courthouses:
N – Wyandot County and Crawford County
E – Morrow County
S – Delaware County and Union County
W – Hardin County
Photos taken 2015