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All October long!

Come have a coffee!

Major labor movement history was made right here in downtown Marion:

“On October 2, 1929, deputies fired into a crowd of striking workers in Marion, North Carolina. Six were killed and even more wounded at the Marion Manufacturing Company in one of the deadliest acts of strike-busting in the South.

“This year marked an apogee of strikes and labor organization in southern textile mills. Eight years prior, over 100 miners were killed at the Battle of Blair Mountain in West Virginia in a period of coal clashes and unionization attempts. Later in the 1920s, many textile workers reacting to grueling and dirty work conditions under the ‘stretch-out’ system, along with a reduction of their pay in company scrip, began organizing and demanding better conditions. Spearheaded by the National Textile Workers Union (an organization supported by the Communist Party), concurrent strikes began early in 1929 at the Bemberg-Glanzstoff Rayon Corporation in Elizabethton, Tennessee and at Loray Mills in Gastonia, North Carolina. Female employees were key to the organization of both strikes, and the latter is most famously remembered for the death of Ella May Wiggins. National Guard members, local police, and union-busting mobs were called to both of these events.

“The Marion strikes (which occurred at the neighboring Clinchfield Mill as well) began July 11. Workers struck without official union support, resisting involvement by communist organizers. After frequent violence and threats, with two National Guard units present, workers returned to these mills September 11, with no raise in pay and a mandated 55-hour workweek. Marion Manufacturing Mill refused to rehire 114 of the strikers, leading to further anger. Workers struck again on October 2, and deputies were dispatched by the local sheriff. Though some details are murky, deputies shot into a crowd of strikers, killing four on site, wounding at least fifteen, with two others dying later. Nearby hospitals refused medical care to strikers, and churches of the mill village refused to administer their funerals. Eight deputies were charged, but acquitted in December. They contended the strikers were armed, but no guns were found, and the New York Times reported those killed were shot in the back.”

(Source: Asheville Museum of History)

Celebrate small-town life in the mountains at the 42nd Annual Mountain Glory Festival on October 11th, 2025. From 9am until 4pm!

Visitors looking for original handicrafts will find plenty of shopping choices with three jam-packed blocks, featuring over 150 craft, food, non-profit and sponsor booths of locally made arts and crafts; festival foods and pubs with local wines, mead and beers. Plus, two stages presenting Marion’s finest musicians.

Don’t miss the annual Mountain Glory Quilt Show inside the McDowell Arts Council. The quilt show is the gallery’s featured October exhibit.

The kids will have fun in the “Kid’s Korner” with hands-on activities, local entertainment and the ever popular best-dressed pet contest.

Shuttle services will run from Rose’s parking lot to the Festival site every half hour. Shuttle service is free. Handicap Parking will be available behind State Farm Insurance.

You might even see Bigfoot, Marion’s Mascot!

To find additional area events, attractions and lodging information, visit destinationmcdowell.com or call toll-free 1-888-233-6111.

The festival is sponsored by the City of Marion.

“The original county courthouse building constructed between 1843 and 1845 was destroyed in the fire along with many original town documents.

“Marion’s citizens took in neighbors and shared what they had until homes and businesses could be replaced. Citizens were determined to rebuild their town, and their efforts paid off with many of those same buildings still standing today as a testament of their determination. These buildings are recognized as some of the most significant architectural resources in the community, and are identified as contributing structures within the Main Street Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”

(Source: City of Marion)

We remember the Big Fire of 1894 that destroyed many houses right here on Main Street and Court Street here in downtown Marion, NC!

“Before the fire of 1894, which gutted the town, Main Street in Marion was a collection of mostly wooded huts, houses, and buildings. The old Courthouse, located at its present location, was, however, of brick construction with two outside stairways meeting each other at the second floor. Construction began in 1843 and court was first held in 1845.

“The devastating fire of November 25, 1894 started on Sunday morning in an old building known as the ‘Ark’ which was located behind the Courthouse. The courthouse did not burn. The fire spread to Main Street and roared down the street across the railroad bridge and beyond.

“Next, it jumped across the street and went back up Main Street to Court Street. The few brick buildings were also gutted, as there was no public water supply.

“Cinders and burning timbers were blown all the way to Mt. Ida, but some houses miraculously escaped with the help of bucket brigades. Marion's citizens took in neighbors and shared what they had until permanent abodes could be established 2 or 3 years later.

“Actually, the rebuilt houses and business structures were much sturdier and much better built; and a new Marion, like the ‘Phoenix, arose from the ashes’!”

(Source: Facebook)

Come have a coffee!

Celebrate with us!