Marion

History

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre. In 1806, Zebulon Pike led the Pike Expedition westward from St Louis, Missouri, of which part of their journey followed the Cottonwood River through Marion County near the current cities of Florence, Marion, Durham. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Marion County was established within Kansas, which included the land for modern day Marion. The city of Marion Centre was founded in 1860 and became the county seat, named in honor of Francis Marion. A post office was established on September 30, 1862, which shortened the name to Marion on October 15, 1881. The city officially adopted the shorter name on January 17, 1882. In 1875, Marion incorporated as a city as a 3rd class city, later in 1888 it became a 2nd class city. In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968. In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original…

Geography

Marion is located in the scenic Flint Hills and Great Plains of the state of Kansas. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Marion has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  566
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  484
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  431
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  430
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  424
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  401
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  391
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  355

Largest nearby schools

• Marion Elem
  Elementary · Marion · 244 students · 12.8:1 ratio
• Marion High
  High · Marion · 142 students · 10.1:1 ratio
• Marion Middle
  Middle · Marion · 127 students · 15.9:1 ratio