About Marion 

History

Formerly the territory of the Creek Indians, Marion was founded shortly after 1819 as Muckle Ridge.  The city was renamed in honor of Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, “hero of the American Revolutionary War” in 1822.  It incorporated as a town the same year.  From the very early days, Marion created considerable history for a small town on the western frontier of Alabama. The old City Hall (1832) is but one of many antebellum public buildings, churches, and homes in the city today.

Marion has many historic structures, with most listed on historic registers directly or as contributing buildings. The Chapel and Lovelace Hall at Marion Military Institute, First Congregational Church of Marion, the Henry House, Marion Female Seminary, Phillips Memorial Auditorium, President's House at Marion Institute, Siloam Baptist Church are all individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has one National Historic Landmark, Kenworthy Hall. The city also has several historic districts, including the Green Street Historic District, Judson College Historic District, Marion Courthouse Square Historic District, and West Marion Historic District. Historic district buildings of special significance include examples such as Reverie.

Travel Destinations

We are 54 miles (1hr) away from Tuscaloosa:

  • Alabama State, home of Crimson Tide

We are 28 miles (36 minutes) away from the Historic downtown Selma and the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the epitome of the civil rights movement.

From Marion to Montgomery it is 79 miles (1hr, 25 min). In Montgomery, you can visit:

  • Montgomery Zoo

  • Alabama State University, home of the Hornets

  • The Legacy Museum

  • Civil Rights Memorial

  • Freedom Rider Museum

  • The Rosa Parks Library

Shopping


Anderson Barnes Antiques – 207 Washington St, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-2000.

College City Drugs – 304 Washington St, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-6166. collegecitydrug.com

Dollar General - 1290 Washington St, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-8733.

Foodvalu Grocery Store - 1531 AL-5, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-4092.

Family Dollar - 110 Fikes Ferry Rd, Marion, AL 35756. Phone (334) 683-2251.

Happy Nails – 107 Jefferson St., Unit A, Washington St, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 292-5199.

Simply Unique Beauty Salon - 203 E. Jefferson St, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-9011.

Tangle’s Hair Salon – 102 Green St, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-9111

United Flower & Gifts – Corner of Jackson and Pickens Street, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-9342. unitedflowershopngifts.com

Two Sisters Boutique / Black Belt Hardware - 1239 S. Washington St, Marion, AL 36756. Women’s Clothing. Phone: (334)683-9910. 

Yanna’s Flowers and Gifts – 407 Washington St, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-8300. yannasflowersgiftsherbsandvitamins.com

Dining

Chantino’s Mexican Grill –  Mexican family dining. 110 Green St, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 607-5029

Dianne’s Diner - 1239 Washington St, Marion, AL 36756.  Comfort food, Buffett, Phone: (334) 683-2890.

Lottie’s – Southern Comfort food. 207 Washington St. Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-5055

Lotus Gardens – American-Chinese family dining. 1602 Highway 5 South, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-5700

MMI Chow Hall – On the Campus of Marion Military Institute.

Sara Hunt Christenberry Dining Hall – Inside Jewett Hall on the Campus of Judson College.

The Shack – Bar and grill. 20555 Highway 183, Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-8966

Subway – Fast food sandwiches. 1537 Highway 5 South Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-8002

Whillard’s – Barbecue. 12267 Highway 5 Marion, AL 36756. Phone: (334) 683-4200

Additional Resources

Alabama Black Belt Adventure - http://alabamablackbeltadventures.org

City of Marion Website – http://www.cityofmarional.org

Discover Marion — https://discovermarion.org/discover-historic-marion

Rural SW Alabama— https://www.ruralswalabama.org

Lower Cahaba Historic and Recreational Corridor – http://www.lowercahaba.com

Alabama’s Front Porches – https://www.alabamasfrontporches.org

Beyond 50 Years Organization — https://beyond50years.weebly.com 

North Alabama Wine Trail — https://northalabamawinetrail.com 

Main Street Marion Facebook Page — https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetMarionAL

"What's Happening in Marion" Facebook Page — https://www.facebook.com/groups/669110866532588

Black Belt Treasures Cultural arts Center — http://www.blackbelttreasures.com

Quilts of Gee’s Bend — https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilts_of_Gee's_Bend