Marysville in Union County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Colonel Noah Orr
1836-1882
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 12, 2019
1. Colonel Noah Orr Marker
This art installation celebrates Colonel Noah Orr, who was born on September 19, 1836, in Union County. Known as Union County's Giant, his fame derived from the fact that he was a very large man. At 7 feet, 8 inches tall (nearly 9 feet in costume) and 500 pounds in weight, Colonel Orr toured the country as a giant and performer from the 1850s to 1882. He appeared with many leading circuses, shows, and museums. From 1878 to 1882, Orr traveled with the Liliputian Opera Company, a group of comedic musicians with dwarfism. His famous career ended July 1, 1882 when he died at his home on West Sixth Street.
This art installation is dedicated to the memory of Chad Flowers, Marysville City Planner.
This project was made possible by support from Team Marysville, the City of Marysville, Union County-Marysville Economic Development Partnership, Streamline Design & Print, and Joseph Ruby.
Erected 2019.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1882.
Location. 40° 14.181′ N, 83° 22.036′ W. Marker is in Marysville, Ohio, in Union County. It is at the intersection of West Fifth Street and South Main Street, on the left when traveling west on West Fifth Street. Touch for map
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Till Plains and in the Columbus Metropolitan Area. 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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Major General Robert Sprague Beightler (within shouting distance of this marker); Cyprian Lee House / Colonel Noah Orr, Union County Giant (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Oldest Brick House in Marysville (about 400 feet away); Union County, Ohio / Union County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Union County Veterans Monument (about 400 feet away); Marysville, Ohio (about 400 feet away); Reuben L. Partridge (about 400 feet away); Marysville Journal-Tribune Clock (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marysville.
Also see . . .
1. Colonel Noah Orr Temporary Art Installation. Main Street Marysville website entry (Submitted on May 20, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Pollard's Lilliputian Opera Company. Wikipedia article (Submitted on March 27, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 12, 2019
2. Colonel Noah Orr Art Installation and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,053 times since then and 134 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
