According to topschoolsintheusa, Marion, South Dakota is a small town located in Turner County, in the southeastern corner of the state. The town is situated on the banks of the Big Sioux River, about 20 miles south of Sioux Falls and 40 miles north of Yankton. Marion has a population of just over 1,000 people and is known for its small-town charm and friendly atmosphere.
The town has a total area of 0.8 square miles with all land area being used for either residential or agricultural purposes. The terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills to the east and west sides of town. Agriculture plays an important role in Marion’s economy with crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, hay, and alfalfa being grown throughout the area. Livestock such as cattle are also raised in the region providing much needed income to local farmers and ranchers.
The climate in Marion is typical of most places within South Dakota with hot summers and cold winters that can sometimes bring snowfall throughout December-February months. In addition to agriculture there are other businesses located within Marion including restaurants and retail stores which provide goods and services to residents as well as visitors from nearby towns or cities like Sioux Falls or Yankton.
Marion also offers several parks for residents to enjoy such as Veterans Memorial Park where people can go for picnics or simply relax outdoors while taking in some fresh air; Freedom Park which features a walking trail that circles around Lake Marion; Riverside Park which provides fishing opportunities along the Big Sioux River; and Riley Park which offers playground equipment for children to enjoy during summer months.
Overall, Marion provides all the amenities one could need from a small town while still having access to larger cities nearby like Sioux Falls or Yankton if more options are desired. With its friendly atmosphere, beautiful parks, lush agricultural lands, easy access to outdoor activities (like hiking trails), and great restaurants/retail stores available within town limits – Marion truly offers something for everyone.
History of Marion, South Dakota
Marion, South Dakota has a long and interesting history that dates back to the late 1800s. The town was originally founded in 1883 by a group of settlers who were looking for a place to call home. These settlers were mostly of German descent and came from nearby towns and cities such as Sioux Falls, Yankton, and Vermillion. The first settlers arrived in Marion via the Big Sioux River, which was an important transportation route at the time.
The town was initially named “Westfield” but soon changed its name to Marion after the wife of one of the original founders, George W. Riley. Riley had purchased 320 acres of land in the area and wanted to honor his wife with the new name. In 1887, Marion officially became an incorporated city with its own mayor and other governing officials.
In its early days, Marion’s economy relied heavily on agriculture with crops such as corn, wheat, oats, hay, alfalfa being grown throughout the area. Livestock such as cattle were also raised in the region providing much needed income to local farmers and ranchers. In addition to farming, Marion also had several local businesses including restaurants and retail stores which provided goods and services to residents as well as visitors from nearby towns or cities like Sioux Falls or Yankton.
Over time Marion continued to grow in population due partly to its close proximity to larger cities like Sioux Falls but also because of its small-town charm and friendly atmosphere that residents appreciated so much. During World War II many soldiers from all over South Dakota were stationed at Fort Randall near Marion which helped boost its population even further during this time period.
Today Marion still maintains much of its small-town charm while offering all the amenities one could need from a small town while still having access to larger cities nearby like Sioux Falls or Yankton if more options are desired. With its friendly atmosphere, beautiful parks (like Veterans Memorial Park), lush agricultural lands (which provide crops like corn or wheat), easy access to outdoor activities (like hiking trails), and great restaurants/retail stores available within town limits – Marion truly offers something for everyone.
Economy of Marion, South Dakota
The economy of Marion, South Dakota is largely based on agriculture, with crops such as corn, wheat, oats, hay, and alfalfa being grown throughout the area. Cattle and other livestock are also raised in the region providing much needed income to local farmers and ranchers. In addition to farming, Marion also has several local businesses including restaurants and retail stores which provide goods and services to residents as well as visitors from nearby towns or cities like Sioux Falls or Yankton.
Agriculture is a major industry in Marion as it has been since its founding in 1887. The fertile soil of the Big Sioux River Valley makes it ideal for growing a variety of crops. Corn is one of the most important crops grown in the area due to its versatility and ability to thrive in various climates. Wheat is another major crop that is grown in Marion due to its high demand for use in breads, pastas, cereals and more. Other grains such as oats and hay are also grown throughout the region providing feed for livestock on farms and ranches.
In addition to farming and ranching, tourism is a growing industry in Marion due to its close proximity to larger cities like Sioux Falls or Yankton but also because of its small-town charm and friendly atmosphere that visitors appreciate so much. The town has several attractions such as Veterans Memorial Park which offers beautiful scenery with walking trails along with picnic areas perfect for summer days spent outdoors. There are also several historical sites located around town including an old schoolhouse that was built in 1881 that now serves as a museum dedicated to local history.
Marion’s retail sector consists of many locally owned businesses including restaurants offering both casual dining experiences as well as more upscale venues offering gourmet meals made from fresh ingredients sourced from local farms whenever possible. There are also plenty of retail stores located around town offering everything from clothing items to home goods all at competitive prices compared to larger cities nearby like Sioux Falls or Yankton.
Overall, Marion’s economy relies heavily on agriculture while still having access to larger markets nearby if needed providing plenty of opportunities for businesses both big and small alike looking for success within this small town located on the banks of the Big Sioux River Valley.
Politics in Marion, South Dakota
The political landscape of Marion, South Dakota is heavily influenced by both local and state politics. At the local level, the town is governed by a board of commissioners who serve four-year terms. This board is responsible for creating and enforcing ordinances, setting budgets, and appointing department heads among other duties. The town also holds elections every two years to elect a mayor and five council members who serve four-year terms as well.
At the state level, Marion’s political landscape is heavily influenced by the South Dakota legislature which consists of 35 members representing 35 districts across the state. These representatives are elected every two years in November and serve two year terms. The legislature meets annually in Pierre to consider various bills that will affect South Dakota citizens in one way or another with final approval coming from the Governor.
The Governor of South Dakota serves as both head of state and head of government for a four-year term with no term limits imposed on them. This position is elected every four years in November along with other statewide offices such as Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Public Utilities Commissioner, Commissioner of School & Public Lands, and Supreme Court Justices among others.
The current governor is Kristi Noem who was elected in 2018 after serving three terms in the House of Representatives representing District 9 from 2011 to 2018. She ran on a platform emphasizing economic development through tax cuts and deregulation while also advocating for strong protections for religious freedom among other issues important to voters across the state including those living in Marion.
Overall, Marion’s political landscape is heavily influenced by both local and statewide politics due to its proximity to Pierre where many legislative decisions are made that affect citizens throughout South Dakota including those living in Marion itself. Despite this influence however Marion remains an independent community with its own unique set of values that shape its political decisions at all levels from local all the way up to statewide offices like governor or even higher if necessary making it a great place to live no matter one’s personal political beliefs or ideologies.
