Marion, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Marion is a city in McDowell County
, North Carolina
, United States
. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat
of McDowell County
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all o.
was 1,452.1 people per square mile (561.3/km²). There were 2,351 housing units at an average density of 690.7 per square mile (267.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.23% White, 10.54% Black, 0.28% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.82% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.04% of the population.
There were 2,146 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples
living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,753, and the median income for a family was $35,463. Males had a median income of $25,403 versus $21,671 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,569. About 12.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.
The warmest month of the year is July, with an average maximum of 86.7 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum of 25.5 degrees.
The annual average precipitation at Marion is 54 inches. Rainfall in fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with the wettest month of the year being March with an average rainfall of 5.59 Inches.
, the American Revolutionary War
hero, known as the “Swamp Fox” and the man upon whom the movie "The Patriot
" was based. Over the years, Marion was also home to Sgt. Daniel Kanipe, one of only two survivors of General Custer's 7th Cavalry that was massacred at the Battle of Little Bighorn. The nearby Lake James
is a popular local and tourist attraction, and has been the backdrop for movies such as The Last of the Mohicans
and The Hunt for Red October
.
Another famous home in Marion is the Joseph McDowell House
, built in 1787 by the county's namesake, Joseph McDowell. McDowell played a large role in the Battle of Cowpens
when he helped defeat the British in January 1781. McDowell went on to serve as a member of the North Carolina Constitutional Convention in 1788 and was a member of the 3rd United States Congress. Restoration plans are underway to preserve this historic house and ensure that it remains a vital part of Marion's history. In 2010, construction began on a greenway system that will soon stretch from the Joseph McDowell House
to an area close to the nearby West McDowell Junior High School.
The Big Fire
Until the late 19th century, Main Street was a collection of mostly wooden huts, houses, and buildings. On Sunday morning, November 25, 1894 a fire sprang up in an old building known as the “Ark” located behind the Courthouse. The fire spread to Main Street and rushed down the street at an incredible pace. The wooden buildings were quickly consumed by the enormous inferno. The few brick buildings on Main Street were also gutted, and because there was no public water supply, bucket brigades were hurriedly formed to halt the advance of the fire. It was not enough, however, and most of Main Street was burned to the ground. Showing the resiliency possessed by the citizens, the city came together and took on the rebuilding process, making Marion larger and stronger than before. Today, downtown Marion is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
.
Depression Era & Labor Conflict
On Oct. 2, 1929, the McDowell County sheriff and several deputies faced a group of workers outside the fence in front of the Marion Manufacturing Company, whose 600 employees had been on strike for four months. A gunfight quickly ensued between the two groups. Sheriff Oscar Adkins would later swear in court that the strikers opened fire first, although no weapons were ever found on any of the strikers. 36 strikers were shot, 6 mortally, during the confrontation. Sinclair Lewis
wrote a syndicated newspaper report entitled "Cheap and Contented Labor: The Picture of the Southern Mill Town." He concluded: "The workers, especially in Marion, have become discouraged. They are hungry, tired, bewildered. They are sick of being shot down. Unless the whoe country encourages them [financially], they will crawl back into the slavery I have sought to picture here." However, since the Great Depression was in full force, little such help would arrive.
Historic District
Eleven structures make up the Main Street Historic District
in the downtown area. Four churches, St. John's Episcopal Church (1882), First Baptist (1914), First Presbyterian (1923), and St. Matthews Lutheran (1935); two former hotels, the Eagle Hotel, which survived the 1894 fire, and the Hotel Marianna (1910); a bank on Main Street built in 1903; the McDowell County Courthouse, which was constructed in 1928; the Marion Depot (1860s), which is the oldest surviving depot on the Western Rail Line; the Public Library (1937), which was originally built as a post office; and the Marion Community Building, built in 1937. Projects are currently underway to revitalize the downtown area as well as to maintain and restore the character of the long-standing buildings.
21st Century
Today, Marion stands as a small congenial town at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains
, "Where Main Street Meets the Mountains." Just off Interstate 40, Marion is located approximately 35 miles east of Asheville
and 20 miles west of Morganton
.
Marion serves as a gateway from Interstate 40 to many nearby attractions and recreation activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A contemporary rest area located on the US 221 bypass west of Marion serves as a welcome center for visitors to the area. The rest area and visitor center is staffed with travel counselors during daylight hours. In addition to providing visitor information, it also has picnic facilities and vending machines on the premises.
Current North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
coach Roy Williams
was born and spent a part of his childhood in Marion. On July 18, 2011, the town held a ceremony to dedicate a Carolina blue
historical marker downtown in front of City Hall, listing Marion as the birthplace of Coach Williams
, as well as his many awards and accomplishments. Marion continues to be a city that values athletics, especially the "Fightin' Titans" of McDowell High
, whose girl's basketball team won the 1992 N.C. 4A State Championship.
have kept the history of Marion alive for decades, and are open weekdays to the public (the latter currently receiving restoration). The recently restored Marion Depot, the oldest surviving depot on the Western Rail Line, hosts numerous community events each month, and is available for rental to individuals and groups for meetings, receptions, parties, and other functions. Lake James
provides fishing, camping, and recreation for McDowell
and Burke
Counties and is just minutes from Marion. Lake Tahoma
, Linville Caverns
, Linville Falls
, and the Blue Ridge Parkway
are also very close to the Marion city limits, and exhibit the diverse scenery of Western North Carolina. There are also several golf courses outside of town, as well as two waterparks and numerous campgrounds. Find a place to stay by going to http://www.visitmcdowell.com.
McDowell County, North Carolina
-Cities and towns:*Marion *Old Fort-Unincorporated places:*West Marion*Little Switzerland*Nebo*Glenwood*Pleasant Gardens*North Cove-Education:The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:*Marion Elementary School...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of McDowell County
McDowell County, North Carolina
-Cities and towns:*Marion *Old Fort-Unincorporated places:*West Marion*Little Switzerland*Nebo*Glenwood*Pleasant Gardens*North Cove-Education:The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:*Marion Elementary School...
.
Geography
Marion is located at 35°40′59"N 82°0′21"W (35.683150, -82.005855).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all o.
Demographics
As of 2008, there were 5,144 people, 2,146 households, and 1,283 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,452.1 people per square mile (561.3/km²). There were 2,351 housing units at an average density of 690.7 per square mile (267.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.23% White, 10.54% Black, 0.28% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.82% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.04% of the population.
There were 2,146 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,753, and the median income for a family was $35,463. Males had a median income of $25,403 versus $21,671 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,569. About 12.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.
Climate
With an elevation of 1,400 feet, Marion's climate is comfortably warm during summer, when temperatures tend to be in the 70s and 80s, and moderately cold during the winter, with temperatures typically in the 30s and 40s.The warmest month of the year is July, with an average maximum of 86.7 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum of 25.5 degrees.
The annual average precipitation at Marion is 54 inches. Rainfall in fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with the wettest month of the year being March with an average rainfall of 5.59 Inches.
History
Marion, the county seat of McDowell County, was planned and built on land selected by the first McDowell County Commissioners on March 14, 1844 at the Historic Carson House on Buck Creek. It was not until 1845, however, that the official name of Marion was sanctioned as the county seat by the state legislature. The name of Marion came from Francis MarionFrancis Marion
Francis Marion was a military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War. Acting with Continental Army and South Carolina militia commissions, he was a persistent adversary of the British in their occupation of South Carolina in 1780 and 1781, even after the Continental Army was driven...
, the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
hero, known as the “Swamp Fox” and the man upon whom the movie "The Patriot
The Patriot (2000 film)
The Patriot is a 2000 historical war film directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Robert Rodat, and starring Mel Gibson, Chris Cooper, and Heath Ledger. It was produced by the Mutual Film Company and Centropolis Entertainment and was distributed by Columbia Pictures...
" was based. Over the years, Marion was also home to Sgt. Daniel Kanipe, one of only two survivors of General Custer's 7th Cavalry that was massacred at the Battle of Little Bighorn. The nearby Lake James
Lake James
Lake James is a large reservoir in the mountains of Western North Carolina which straddles the border between Burke and McDowell Counties. It is named for tobacco tycoon and benefactor of Duke University, James Buchanan Duke. The lake lies behind a series of 4 earthen dams, and was created by...
is a popular local and tourist attraction, and has been the backdrop for movies such as The Last of the Mohicans
The Last of the Mohicans
The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757 is a historical novel by James Fenimore Cooper, first published in February 1826. It is the second book of the Leatherstocking Tales pentalogy and the best known...
and The Hunt for Red October
The Hunt for Red October
The Hunt for Red October is a 1984 novel by Tom Clancy. The story follows the intertwined adventures of Soviet submarine captain Marko Aleksandrovich Ramius and CIA analyst Jack Ryan.The novel was originally published by the U.S...
.
Another famous home in Marion is the Joseph McDowell House
Joseph McDowell House
The Joseph McDowell House is a historic house and museum located in Marion, North Carolina. It was the home of Col. Joseph McDowell, the founder and namesake of McDowell County. It is currently undergoing extensive renovations, and is closed to the public....
, built in 1787 by the county's namesake, Joseph McDowell. McDowell played a large role in the Battle of Cowpens
Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was a decisive victory by Patriot Revolutionary forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
when he helped defeat the British in January 1781. McDowell went on to serve as a member of the North Carolina Constitutional Convention in 1788 and was a member of the 3rd United States Congress. Restoration plans are underway to preserve this historic house and ensure that it remains a vital part of Marion's history. In 2010, construction began on a greenway system that will soon stretch from the Joseph McDowell House
Joseph McDowell House
The Joseph McDowell House is a historic house and museum located in Marion, North Carolina. It was the home of Col. Joseph McDowell, the founder and namesake of McDowell County. It is currently undergoing extensive renovations, and is closed to the public....
to an area close to the nearby West McDowell Junior High School.
The Big Fire
Until the late 19th century, Main Street was a collection of mostly wooden huts, houses, and buildings. On Sunday morning, November 25, 1894 a fire sprang up in an old building known as the “Ark” located behind the Courthouse. The fire spread to Main Street and rushed down the street at an incredible pace. The wooden buildings were quickly consumed by the enormous inferno. The few brick buildings on Main Street were also gutted, and because there was no public water supply, bucket brigades were hurriedly formed to halt the advance of the fire. It was not enough, however, and most of Main Street was burned to the ground. Showing the resiliency possessed by the citizens, the city came together and took on the rebuilding process, making Marion larger and stronger than before. Today, downtown Marion is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Depression Era & Labor Conflict
On Oct. 2, 1929, the McDowell County sheriff and several deputies faced a group of workers outside the fence in front of the Marion Manufacturing Company, whose 600 employees had been on strike for four months. A gunfight quickly ensued between the two groups. Sheriff Oscar Adkins would later swear in court that the strikers opened fire first, although no weapons were ever found on any of the strikers. 36 strikers were shot, 6 mortally, during the confrontation. Sinclair Lewis
Sinclair Lewis
Harry Sinclair Lewis was an American novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. In 1930, he became the first writer from the United States to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, "for his vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with wit and humor, new types of...
wrote a syndicated newspaper report entitled "Cheap and Contented Labor: The Picture of the Southern Mill Town." He concluded: "The workers, especially in Marion, have become discouraged. They are hungry, tired, bewildered. They are sick of being shot down. Unless the whoe country encourages them [financially], they will crawl back into the slavery I have sought to picture here." However, since the Great Depression was in full force, little such help would arrive.
Historic District
Eleven structures make up the Main Street Historic District
Main Street Historic District (Marion, North Carolina)
The Main Street Historic District in Marion, North Carolina is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. As of 1991, it included 36 buildings deemed to contribute to the historic character of the area and one other contributing site.Specifically...
in the downtown area. Four churches, St. John's Episcopal Church (1882), First Baptist (1914), First Presbyterian (1923), and St. Matthews Lutheran (1935); two former hotels, the Eagle Hotel, which survived the 1894 fire, and the Hotel Marianna (1910); a bank on Main Street built in 1903; the McDowell County Courthouse, which was constructed in 1928; the Marion Depot (1860s), which is the oldest surviving depot on the Western Rail Line; the Public Library (1937), which was originally built as a post office; and the Marion Community Building, built in 1937. Projects are currently underway to revitalize the downtown area as well as to maintain and restore the character of the long-standing buildings.
21st Century
Today, Marion stands as a small congenial town at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
, "Where Main Street Meets the Mountains." Just off Interstate 40, Marion is located approximately 35 miles east of Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
and 20 miles west of Morganton
Morganton, North Carolina
Morganton is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. Reader's Digest included Morganton in its list of top ten places to raise a family. The town was recently profiled in The 50 Best Small Southern Towns. The population was 17,310 at the 2000 census...
.
Marion serves as a gateway from Interstate 40 to many nearby attractions and recreation activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A contemporary rest area located on the US 221 bypass west of Marion serves as a welcome center for visitors to the area. The rest area and visitor center is staffed with travel counselors during daylight hours. In addition to providing visitor information, it also has picnic facilities and vending machines on the premises.
Current North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
coach Roy Williams
Roy Williams (coach)
Roy Williams is head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of North Carolina. After averaging nearly an 80% win percentage in 15 seasons at the University of Kansas, he became the eighteenth head coach at North Carolina when he replaced Matt Doherty in 2003...
was born and spent a part of his childhood in Marion. On July 18, 2011, the town held a ceremony to dedicate a Carolina blue
Carolina blue
Carolina blue is the shade of blue used as one of the official school colors of the University of North Carolina. The name is derived from the popular usage of "Carolina" to refer to the university...
historical marker downtown in front of City Hall, listing Marion as the birthplace of Coach Williams
Roy Williams (coach)
Roy Williams is head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of North Carolina. After averaging nearly an 80% win percentage in 15 seasons at the University of Kansas, he became the eighteenth head coach at North Carolina when he replaced Matt Doherty in 2003...
, as well as his many awards and accomplishments. Marion continues to be a city that values athletics, especially the "Fightin' Titans" of McDowell High
McDowell High School (Marion, North Carolina)
McDowell High School is a public high school located in the western North Carolina town of Marion. Known for its reputable NJROTC program, successful athletic teams, musical directors, and computer programming classes, the 4A school of roughly 1,600 students is the only high school in McDowell County...
, whose girl's basketball team won the 1992 N.C. 4A State Championship.
Attractions
There are three parks in Marion operated by the city, the main one being downtown beside the Community Building. In 2010, the City opened the Joseph McDowell Greenway, Phase I. Named in honor of the county's namesake, the greenway follows the flow of the Catawba River. Benches, picnic tables and fishing piers are scattered throughout this first phase with access from Highway 70 between the intersections of Highway 221/226 By-Pass and Roby Conley Road (beside Table Rock rock yard). Dogs are permitted. Historic homes such as the Carson House and the Joseph McDowell HouseJoseph McDowell House
The Joseph McDowell House is a historic house and museum located in Marion, North Carolina. It was the home of Col. Joseph McDowell, the founder and namesake of McDowell County. It is currently undergoing extensive renovations, and is closed to the public....
have kept the history of Marion alive for decades, and are open weekdays to the public (the latter currently receiving restoration). The recently restored Marion Depot, the oldest surviving depot on the Western Rail Line, hosts numerous community events each month, and is available for rental to individuals and groups for meetings, receptions, parties, and other functions. Lake James
Lake James
Lake James is a large reservoir in the mountains of Western North Carolina which straddles the border between Burke and McDowell Counties. It is named for tobacco tycoon and benefactor of Duke University, James Buchanan Duke. The lake lies behind a series of 4 earthen dams, and was created by...
provides fishing, camping, and recreation for McDowell
McDowell County, North Carolina
-Cities and towns:*Marion *Old Fort-Unincorporated places:*West Marion*Little Switzerland*Nebo*Glenwood*Pleasant Gardens*North Cove-Education:The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:*Marion Elementary School...
and Burke
Burke County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 89,148 people, 34,528 households, and 24,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile . There were 37,427 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile...
Counties and is just minutes from Marion. Lake Tahoma
Lake Tahoma
Lake Tahoma is a private lake in the mountains of Western North Carolina, United States, in McDowell County fed from the waters of Buck Creek, located about 5 miles from downtown Marion. Lake Tahoma is a private lake in which there is a ban on speedboats and jetskis.There is a local legend about a...
, Linville Caverns
Linville Caverns
Linville Caverns are privately owned active limestone caverns located in northern McDowell County, North Carolina, just south of the village of Linville Falls, on U.S. Highway 221. The caverns are open to the public year round for guided tours...
, Linville Falls
Linville Falls
Linville Falls is a waterfall located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the United States. The falls move in several distinct steps, beginning in a twin set of upper falls, moving down a small gorge, and finally culminating in a high-volume drop. It is named for the Linville...
, and the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
are also very close to the Marion city limits, and exhibit the diverse scenery of Western North Carolina. There are also several golf courses outside of town, as well as two waterparks and numerous campgrounds. Find a place to stay by going to http://www.visitmcdowell.com.
Education
The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:- Marion Elementary School
- West Marion Elementary School
- Old Fort Elementary School
- Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
- Eastfield Global Magnet School
- Glenwood Elementary School
- North Cove Elementary School
- Nebo Elementary School
- West McDowell Junior High School
- East McDowell Junior High School
- McDowell High SchoolMcDowell High School (Marion, North Carolina)McDowell High School is a public high school located in the western North Carolina town of Marion. Known for its reputable NJROTC program, successful athletic teams, musical directors, and computer programming classes, the 4A school of roughly 1,600 students is the only high school in McDowell County...
- McDowell Early College
- Phoenix Academy
- New Manna Christian School
- McDowell Technical Community College
Media
- Newspaper: The McDowell NewsThe McDowell NewsThe McDowell News is a daily newspaper based in Marion, North Carolina covering McDowell County. The newspaper is owned by Media General....
- Radio: WBRMWBRMWBRM is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Marion, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Wbrm, Inc. and features programing from CNN Radio....
- 1250 AM - The News Bulletin Of McDowell County