Join us for a special teach-in on the Big Fire of 1894!

Patti Holda, president of the McDowell County Historical Society, will be here with us to tell us about the devastating fire that took place on November 25, 1894, and possibly answer the question: Is our building haunted???

“In the early morning hours of November 25, 1894, a big fire swept through downtown Marion destroying most of the buildings in its path. At the time, most of the construction in town utilized local timber as the primary building material.

“The fire spread through Main Street and Court Street, even jumping the railroad bridge destroying everything within its path.

“With no public water supply available at the time, even the few brick buildings that existed were destroyed by the fire. Cinders and burning timbers were blown all the way to the top of Mt. Ida, but miraculously some homes escaped damage with help from bucket brigades.

“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)