With a population of over 38,000, Marion, Ohio is known as the popcorn capital of the world. It has gained that title as it is home to the Wyndot Popcorn Museum. September is the month that the community holds its annual popcorn festival. Marion has a lot of history in its borders, including being the home of President Warren G. Harding.
Marion is known for having the largest collection of popcorn poppers and peanut roasters in the world. All the big names in popcorn are on display at the Wyandot Popcorn Museum. This museum is one of two popcorn museums in the world (the other is in Holland, Ohio) and it has a large display of restored popcorn antiques including two poppers that are over 100 years old. Poppers are restored by the craftsmen at the museum. Since 1982, families have enjoyed visiting the museum and as these craftsmen say, "Stop by for a poppin' good time." Kids ages 6 to 17 can see the museum for $1.50, kids 18 and up are $4 and senior kids are $3.
Wyandot Popcorn Museum
169 E. Church St.
Marion, OH 43302
740-387-4255
wyandotpopcornmus.com
The Big Island Wildlife Area is a part of Ohio State University Marion Prairie and wetland areas and, if bird watching is your thing, here you will find prairie owls and rare birds. The area has been labeled as a national landmark through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The area covers 5,722 acres of wildlife, ponds and wetlands, trees, marsh, crop fields, meadows, prairie grasses and the Scioto River and the land is very flat. The area is open year-round.
Big Island Wildlife Area
1465 Marion Mt. Gilead Road
740-389-6786 ext. 6319
ohiodnr.com
Visit the home of the 29th President of the United States, Warren G. Harding and his wife, Florence Kling DeWolfe Harding. The couple designed the house before they were married In 1891. Much of his presidential campaign was done right on the front porch of this house. Harding bought the local newspaper, the Marion Star, and made Marion his permanent home. He was born in Corsica, Ohio in 1865. The house is open to visitors for a fee from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Thursdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Just two miles from the home is the marble tomb where the Hardings are buried. It is at the corner of SR 423 and Vernon Heights Boulevard and deserves a look.
Harding Home
380 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Marion, OH 43302
740-387-9630
ohiohistory.org
