Marion in Williamson County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Marion Tornado Memorial

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2017

1. Marion Tornado Memorial Marker

Inscription.
In memory of
James Gulledge
Ferne Kobler
Zelma Latham
Lynn Sue Moore
Pauline Pearson
Mae Rader
James Simmons
Helen White
Leona White
Effie Jane Wilson
May 29, 1982

On May 29, 1982 at 3:15 P.M. a tornado struck Marion leaving
10 dead
136 injured
161 homes destroyed
175 Apts. destroyed
1000 homeless
47 businesses destroyed
50 Million dollars in losses

Dedicated in prayer and thanksgiving to those who helped rebuild our city.
May 29, 1983

Erected 1983 by Citizens of the City of Marion.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is May 29, 1982.

Location. 37° 43.839′ N, 88° 55.631′ W. Marker is in Marion, Illinois, in Williamson County. It is at the intersection of Tower Square Plaza and South Market Street, in the median on Tower Square Plaza. Marker is located near the clock tower in Tower Square Plaza, facing south toward South Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1102 Tower Square Plaza, Marion IL 62959, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: I Shall Stand For This Union (a few steps from this marker); John A. Logan Speech

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Bob Butler Biography (a few steps from this marker); Marion History (within shouting distance of this marker); Williamson County Jail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Willis Allen House (approx. ¼ mile away); Stotlar - De Mattei House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Dedicated to All Veteran in all Wars (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Regarding Marion Tornado Memorial. Two major tornadoes occurred in southern Illinois on May 29th. The first, an F3, almost completely destroyed the small rural community of Conant. The second tornado carved a swath of F4 destruction through the north side of Marion, leaving 10 dead and 181 injured. The tornadoes paths, shown here F scale indicated where possible, were mapped from a Cessna 182 on June 1st by Duane Stiegler, University of Chicago.

Also see . . . 1982 Marion Illinois Tornado. On May 29, 1982, a deadly F4 tornado carved a 17-mile long path across Williamson County, Illinois, including the city of Marion. At times, the tornado

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2017

2. Marion Tornado Memorial Marker

was nearly a quarter mile wide. The tornado first touched down about 3 miles northwest of Carterville around 3:05 p.m. After moving southeast across Carterville to Crainville, the twister then paralleled Illinois Route 13 through Marion. (Submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Storm Path

From May 1982 Storm Data report compiled by the NOAA National Weather Service.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,244 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.