Established in 1844 and named for the American Revolutionary War hero General Francis Marion, “the Swamp Fox,” the city situated at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to nearly 8,000 residents and serves as the seat of culture, commerce, and government for McDowell County. Marion’s Main Street Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, features many historic commercial buildings, churches, and the county courthouse. This District is bounded by North Main, Garden, Crawford, and Burgin Streets.
32 — Discovery & Analysis
DESTINATION MCDOWELL TOURISM MASTER PLAN
