MARIONVILLE MO

Leaving the Granby-Newtonia area, I headed off to Marionville, the home of the white squirrels.  The weather was still not really cooperative.  I drove around town, but the only thing I saw were a few "white squirrel crossing' signs!!  I guess the squirrels were staying in out of the dreary weather!

Marionville, "The Land of Seven Springs" was founded in 1854 by James Marion Moore. Early settlers came and stayed due to the abundance of clear, fresh water provided by the springs in the area.

In the area that is now the City park, a creamery was established in 1911. It was rated second in the state, producing 38,529 pounds of butter in 1913. The Honey Creek Bottling Works, a soft drink company, established business neaar the creek. Soon came a tomato canning factory. The canning factory closed and in 1963, the Marionville Lions Club bought the property for back taxes. Through the efforts of several residents and the Marionville Lions Club, the land was purchased and the city park was developed.

Marionville is the home of the white squirrels.  Reportedly they have been there since the 1880s. They are totally white, roam the yards about town, and are protected by City law. How the squirrels got there, remains a mystery.  

Marionville slaps a $500 fine on anyone caught trying to trap or sell a white squirrel. "We tried to increase it $1,000," said Doris Rapp, a former mayor, "but the state said it was unconstitutional."

In 1938 the abundance of apple orchards in the area earned Marionville the title, "Apple Capitol of Missouri." 

On March 12, 2006, an F3 tornado hit the town, destroying houses and killing 2 people.