Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier: The Crown Jewels of Marion Illinois

Travel Experiences with Jeff and Cindy Barganier The Crown Jewels

There are towns. Then there are towns that show us the way. I first became interested in Marion, Illinois after reading about its murals, especially those painted by a charming fourteenyear-old named Maddie Deiters. I found Maddie’s story so uplifting and inspiring that I longed to see her art in person. And

I did. (See last month’s issue of BOOM! online at

com/yckkwk8a or scan the QR Code.)

This feature is about what else I discovered.

Marion (pop. 17,500) is 400 miles north-northeast of The River Region. Part of a dispersed urban area that emerged from early 20th Century coal fields, Marion is today the largest retail trade center in Southern Illinois. Former Mayor Robert Butler—the longest serving mayor in Illinois history—called Marion the “Hub of the Universe.”

We exited Interstate 57 late in the day, found our hotel, and made a dash for Domino’s Pizza. The workers at Domino’s gave a first impression of what I would learn to expect from these “Southerners of Illinois.” They’re hardworking, friendly, courteous, and appreciative of my business. This is important to me because I have two categories for places I visit: those I’d like to take my family back to, and those I tend to forget. Hospitable Marion with its youthful vibe is definitely a town I’ll visit again. When camping, I want a site near water, beneath colorful hardwoods. The Shawnee National Forest near Marion has both. I haven’t camped there … yet. But from photos available online, this

wilderness treasure looks beyond amazing. It’s no doubt one of the crown jewels of Southern Illinois. But when exploring a new city, I want lodging close to Dunkin Donuts, sweet tea and great barbecue. Marion’s Country Inn and Suites—currently under renovation—is across the street from Dunkin and a parking lot down from 17th Street BBQ. This local favorite restaurant has outstanding barbecue and serves a generous helping of excellent banana pudding in a jar. (I happen to be a banana pudding connoisseur.) It’s enough to share. Maybe. You may remember my certain feature a while back where I wrote about seeing a young man wearing his pants below his bottom. I lamented, “Perhaps, someday, if we’re lucky, the South’s pants shall rise again.” 17th Street BBQ I never once saw that fellow in the “Hub of the Universe.” While Marion isn’t the flashiest place on the planet, it’s also not likely where you’ll get flashed either. That’s because Marion’s people are upstanding and outstanding. And its leadership consist of no-nonsense, pro-law enforcement, visionaries who think of their city as “The Oasis of Opportunity.” Marion is the political antithesis of Chicago, 319 miles north.

Navy before settling down in Marion and attending college for a teaching degree. He and wife Pat frequent the Crown Brew. They’ve lived in Marion for thirty years. “When they opened this, we started coming here. We love it so much, you know. It’s just … everybody in here. They stop and talk to you. And all the workers are just wonderful. They seem so happy. And they’re always singing or dancing or something. It makes you feel good, you know. There are still people who like to enjoy life, and friendly. When they stop to tell you hello, maybe they’re telling you ‘I love you,’” he said. I can’t help but think: this concern for others characteristic of Marion’s people may hearken back to what was once a tight-knit community of tough coal-miner families who braved danger and praised the Almighty for every blessing, helping and serving others as they faced each new day. And, it seems, a new generation stands ready to carry the torch. Marion’s town square is undergoing an

Virtually everywhere we extensive makeover. It’ll be went, Marion’s people a different square in a year. were kind and welcoming. Can’t wait to see it once the Of note, the young people work is done! (I understand we encountered were it’s the place to be during respectful. They didn’t the Christmas season.) drop “sirs.” We enjoyed Other attractions that draw excellent Eggs Benedict visitors to Marion include at The Vault Café on the Southern Illinois Miners’ Square. The Vault Café baseball at Rent One Park, is located in a historic events at Southern Illinois 100-year-old bank building. University at Carbondale, You can even dine in the monthly bouts of the vault! The owner stopped Town Square with Cultural Center in Background and Jeff with Marion Publisher Bill Swinford Southern Illinois Roller by our table to chat before Girls at Williamson County we departed. While exploring the upper Pavilion, two dozen wineries within a floors, Russell Williams, who directs the 45-mile radius of the city, Crab Orchard city’s small business incubator, told us his National Wildlife Refuge, Lake of Egypt, story of discovering Marion. Bill Swinford, and various state parks that stretch along publisher of The Marion Star spent time the Shawnee Hills between rivers. And, of with us discussing Southern Illinois. course, history—the town took its name Afterward, Mayor Michael Absher from Revolutionary War hero General dropped everything and gave us a walking- Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion. All crown tour of the town square. As we entered jewels. the fabulous 1100-seat Marion Cultural and Civic Center, one of the staff members Heading downtown one morning, we greeted us, “Howdy. How y’all doing?” passed one of the Domino’s Pizza workers Never expected to hear that greeting in heading to work. That’s when it dawned Illinois! But, remember, this is Southern on me: this town has so much to offer. But Illinois. We walked among the murals its people are the main attraction—they’re and stopped by friendly shops like Lavish the living Crown Jewels of Marion, Illinois. Bath Box and Perfectly Posh Boutique. Go see for yourself. That evening we dined at 20’s Hideout Steakhouse that features live piano music For more information see: by local musicians. www.CityofMarionil.gov

Next morning, Cindy had to have her

coffee at award-winning Crown Brew

Coffee just off the square. That’s where

I met Korean War veteran Jack Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher spent four years in the U.S. www.crownbrewcoffee.com

Jeff S. Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC. He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact: Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Instagram: @jeffbarganier. Visit: www.jeffbarganier.com.