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

Marion Steam Shovel

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 19, 2009

1. Marion Steam Shovel Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Marion Steam Shovel Company built the primary tools for America's civil engineering for more than 100 years. Founded in 1884 by Henry M. Barnhart, George W. King, and Edward Huber, the company's patent steam shovels helped revolutionize railway and road construction, and were used in the building of the Panama Canal, Hoover Dam, and the Holland Tunnel. "The Shovel" also built ditchers, log loaders, dredges, and draglines, including some of the largest land vehicles ever built. The first electric machine was built in 1915, but it was not until 1946 that the name was changed to Marion Power Shovel. In the mid-twentieth century, "The Shovel" employed 2,500 workers. In the 1960s, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration selected Marion to build the crawlers that transport spacecraft to their launch pads. Hundred-year rival Bucyrus International acquired and closed the company in 1997.

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The International Paper Company Foundation, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 13-51.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Natural Resources • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 40° 35.323′ N, 83° 8.47′ W. Marker is in Marion, Ohio, in Marion County. Marker is on Center Street (Ohio Route 95/309), on the right when traveling west. Memorial is west across the railroad tracks from the former Marion Union Train Station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marion OH 43301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Founders' Point (here, next to this marker); Palace Theater (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hotel Harding (approx. 0.4 miles away); Norman Mattoon Thomas (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Marion County Trial of Bill Anderson

Marion Power Shovel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 19, 2009

2. Marion Power Shovel Marker

In recognition of the foresight and ingenuity
of Henry Barnhart, George King, and Edward
Huber, who established this plant in 1884 as
the Marion Steam Shovel Company, this monument
is dedicated as
Founders' Point

Employees of Marion Power Shovel Div.
Dresser Industries, Inc.
September 20, 1981

(approx. 0.7 miles away); War Memorials (approx. 0.7 miles away); Marion County Revolutionary Soldiers Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Marion County Courthouse (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Also see . . . Marion Steam Shovel Company. (Submitted on January 30, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 19, 2009

3. Marion Steam Shovel Marker

Looking east.

Marion Steam Shovel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 19, 2009

4. Marion Steam Shovel

Contributor Standing in the Marion Steam Shovel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 19, 2009

5. Contributor Standing in the Marion Steam Shovel

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,858 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 30, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.