The Marion Baking Company, episode 45

A brief history on one of Marion's first downtown lots surveyed in 1839.

today we know the property as a city parking lot, and have known it as such since 1972.

For those with memories before that time, the lot was home to the Marion Baking Company. Occupying that location for more than 50 years, the bakery was one of several businesses Marion entrepreneur Archibald McLaren would open in his lifetime. Serving as one of the most popular bakeries for most of its existence.

Prior to being the town's favorite bakery, the structure served as one of Marion's original livery stables.

In the 1890's a great fire would lead to the livery rebuilding with a fine brick structure of the day. This most certainly led to the location being the last livery stable left operating downtown.

A downtown property shaped by fire and destined to be tied to the proliferation of the automobile. It seems only fitting the property would become a parking lot.

Although I for one would prefer a bakery.