60 years ago

March 1, 1956

The question of the location of the new highway shops for this district and the improvement and routing of US-50N through Marion was definitely settled this week by an official announcement of the State Highway Commission. The new shops will be built on the east edge of Marion, the highway will be improved and resurfaced in its present location and both projects will be started at once.

J.E. “Jerry” Mullikin, superintendent of Marion County Park and Lake for the past 26 years, died of cancer at his home at the lake February 27 after a critical illness of several months.

Closing of the J.C. Penney department store at the end of business March 17 was announced today by Ried Crawford, manager of the Marion store. The company first operated here in August 1929. According to Crawford, the decision to close the store was the result of long and careful consideration by the company.

Members of the 8th grade Marion Junior High Braves recently won first place in the county junior high basketball tournament held in the Marion gym. Team members are Tommy Gardner, John Kline, Larry Burkholder, Jerry Cheek, Coy Giles, Dennis Robertson, Marion Kelsey, Warren Vogel, and Dennis Navrat. Jerry Loveless is team manager. Coaches are Howard Collett and Jerry Dyck.