Located between Ft. Wayne and Indianapolis, Marion was founded in 1831 by Martin Boots and David Branson. From its humble origins on the Mississinewa River, it has transformed from a small settlement into a city with approximately 30,000 people. 

The War of 1812

The Battle of Mississinewa was an early, pivotal battle during the War of 1812 that was fought in the surrounding countryside of what would later become Marion. Reeling from a string of defeats at the hands of the British and their Native American allies, this small and largely forgotten U.S. victory boosted morale and paved the way for later campaigns that recaptured Detroit and Dearborn.

While the last shots of the conflict were fired over 200 years ago, its legacy lives on in Marion. Here, visitors can see first-hand how settlers and Native Americans lived during this time. It is the nation’s largest living history event dedicated to the War of 1812 with daily exhibitions and demonstrations. However, we recommend visiting in October so you can experience the annual full-scale reenactment of the Battle of Mississinewa.

Hog Daze

What began as a popular cornfield motorcycle race in 1919 has turned into one of the nation’s largest motorcycle gatherings. Annually, thousands of enthusiasts descend upon Marion to share their passion for all things related to two wheels. On an interesting note, have you ever wondered why Harley-Davidsons are called hogs? You might be surprised to learn the term was born right here in Marion when Ray Weishaar did a victory lap on his Harley with one of his piglets after winning the 1920 Cornfield Classic. With that iconic image, the name “hog” took on a new meaning.

A Hollywood Legend

Yes, the legendary Hollywood actor James Dean was born here. Even though his career was tragically cut short in a car accident, he impacted an entire generation and fans of the legendary actor still descend upon the city to pay their respects. While the house has since been torn down, a marker has been placed in its spot dedicated to his memory. The next stop is the Fairmount Historical Museum, which houses numerous artifacts related to the revered actor.

Garfield The Cat

That witty orange cat, Garfield (well, the creator Jim Davis), is another Marion native. Over the last 40 years, Garfield has become one of the most popular and widely syndicated comic strips globally, with his image appearing just about everywhere. If you grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, chances are you had a Garfield-themed toy. Fans of this loveable cat can experience the Garfield Trail, a series of statues dedicated to him in several cities throughout Grant County.

Pests

While the residents of Marion are friendly and welcoming of visitors, there are plenty of unwelcome guests that would like to pay you a visit. Left unchecked, pests like ants and termites can wreak havoc on your home. Fortunately, there is a solution in the name of Bug Off Pest Pros. We have over ten years of experience serving Marion and Grant County residents, and our work is backed up by a 90-day guarantee unless otherwise stated. If you are losing sleep over your unwanted house guests, put your mind at ease and contact us today to schedule an appointment.