Main St looking east from tracks 1920’s
For years now, I’ve publically begged for information, stories and photographs of people, buildings, places, things and events, now changed or long gone, from Marion, Michigan. Many of my pleas have gone by the way. I chalk this up to a couple of things. Some folks know they have some answers, photos, and stories to share, but do not take the time for a variety of reasons. Some think that no one else will be interested in what they have. To them it is nothing special. Others do not want to be seen as bragging, although that theory may be some old thinking.
For some, the stories and photos simply belong to them and are no one else’s business. Sad, but true. All too often, that long saved and forgotten memorabilia ends up in an estate sale. We know of the sole heir of an early Marion family who burned a good deal of local info and photos because she did not want strangers to have them. Nothing shared, nothing gained. Today, few remember these folks here.
Why beat this old drum you may ask. I do it because I am asking for information from readers once again. And this one just might ring a bell with some old Marion kids. I will explain.
Last week former Marionite Terry Wooten posed this question to me; Could the Horseshoe Bar have been named to honor Levi Wooten’s blacksmith shop? Terry’s great-grandfather’s business was located near First Street where there were also livery’s, behind the Marion House. I replied that it seemed logical to me. This got my interest. I did some research, but found little info. My trusty Marion book tells little, other than the very basics and not enough of that. I own five Marion Press’s from 1951, which carry large advertising for the new bar. By 1954, the same information was in the Classified Ads.
Briefly, the Horseshoe Bar came into being in the spring of 1951, shortly after a fire took down the pre-1900 Marion House Hotel, just into that New Year. It occupied the ‘front yard’ space of today’s Horseshoe. The Marion House rented rooms and also housed a saloon/bar by the same name. I am told that it held the first liquor license in Marion Township.
Soon after fire claimed the old hotel, the bar was back in business, and advertising in the Marion Press as Marion’s Horseshoe Bar with dancing to orchestra music every weekend. Dancing required a separate license. We also know that the first proprietor of the Horseshoe, under that name, was Ervin Gillette, with descendants still here.
What remains uncertain is exactly when the Shoe moved into its building and why was it called the Horseshoe? Was it for the late Levi Wooten’s business? He died in 1935, some 15 years before the Shoe. Was it because of the continuing popularity of horse racing at Marion, Michigan? Was it because in the process of turning a former garage building into a bar a horseshoe was found?
Inquiring minds want to know. I have a couple more calls to make, and I’m putting my hope in the readership. Feel free to share Horseshoe info with me at 231-743-2743 or better yet, text me at 231-667-0840.
This story is to be continued because I’m sure the answers are out there somewhere. In the history of our town, it has not been so long ago, not yet 75 years. So, I’m wishing for some answers and willing to ride out the wait.
As the old saying goes, “If wishes were horses… then beggars would ride.”
This week’s photo was taken in the 1920’s, looking east at the railroad tracks. The first building on the right is Walt Chadwick’s Barber Shop. Next is the Marion House, in her prime. The first door lead to the Saloon and the Restaurant sign is at the corner.