History of Old Settlers Day
In January of 1881 the first Old Settlers Reunion was held. The people who came to Marion County in the 1860s gathered for a basket dinner at Rogers Hall on the night of January 7.
At the suggestion of the Marion Record, Old Settlers Day was made an annual affair in 1912. The Marion County Old Settlers Association was formed to take charge of the event in years to come. Prominent speakers who were among the early settlers of Marion County were present and delivered addresses. Incidents and reminiscences of the early days were told by many of the pioneers. The old settlers swarmed to Marion from all parts of the county, neighboring counties, and all over for the affair.
The next year the celebration was moved to Central Park but other than that the basic program remained the same.
In 1914, Old Settlers Day changed the program slightly. In the morning, Bosh's and Svitak's Bohemian bands and the Marion band presented music on Marion Street. A picnic dinner was held at noon, followed by longer addresses than in previous years, delivered by fewer people than before.
The 1915 edition was scheduled for late September rather than early October, and featured a parade for the first time. Also for the first time, a person residing out of the state, Hon. C.R. Schmidt of Chicago, delivered the principal address.
Changing the date from early autumn to late summer (August 11) gave the Old Settlers of 1916 the largest crowd to that date. The afternoon program again became rather informal. A new addition this year was a free ball game, pitting Marion against Florence.
Old Settlers Day has changed little from that time. It was generally held on Thursday, then a few years ago the day was changed to Saturday in order that more people would be able to attend. One thing that has not changed, and that is the friendly spirit of the day. The people of Marion welcome all, from far and wide, to come and have a good time. That's the main event of the program this year, as in years past.
