Editing Marion, Iowa (section)

== History ==
The town was named after [[Francis Marion]], a hero of the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. The site was selected in 1839 to be the first county seat of the newly organized [[Linn County, Iowa|Linn County]]. After years of debate over moving the county seat to [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa|Cedar Rapids]], it was put to a vote in 1919. The vote was 9,960 in favor of moving the seat and 4,823 not in favor.

Each year, the city hosts the annual "Swamp Fox Festival", a celebration of Marion's heritage named in honor of the "Swamp Fox", Francis Marion's nickname during the Revolutionary War. The event typically includes a 5K run, parade, fireworks, and many other family friendly activities. The current site of the Indian Creek Country Club was once the home of a sulky horse racing track. 

The town was the home to St. Berchman's Seminary, established in 1905 by the [[Sisters of Mercy]] as a boarding school for small boys. The academy, which closed in 1942, consisted of five buildings spread over 23 acres. One of the most famous residents was actor [[Don Ameche]], who lived in the facility as a boy; he went on to star in the movie [[Cocoon (film)|''Cocoon'']]. Today, the main building, now housing apartments, is all that remains.

In 2023, Mayor Nicholas AbouAssaly was re-elected for another term, being unopposed. AbouAssaly is, as of 2025, serving his third term, after winning the 2019 and 2015 elections in a landslide.<ref>{{cite web|title= A Weekly Update from City Manager Ryan Waller|url=https://www.cityofmarion.org/Home/Components/News/News/7699/17|publisher=City of Marion|date=November 9, 2023}}</ref>