Butler in DeKalb County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Marshall Clothing Mfg. Co.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2025

1. Marshall Clothing Mfg. Co. Marker, Side One

Inscription. Marshall Clothing Manufacturing Company opened here in 1928, producing athletic, outdoor, and insulated apparel. The company expanded operations despite the turmoil of the Great Depression and employed women as tailors, fabric cutters, and managers. It sold its “Gamemaster” sportswear line nationwide by the 1940s and moved its Nappanee branch factory to Garrett in 1949.

During World War II, Marshall Clothing Mfg. Co. rapidly expanded to fulfill defense contracts, producing approximately 25,000 field jackets for the U.S. Army. It received additional contracts in the 1950s, during the Korean War, to produce military fatigue hats. The company ended operations here in 1965 after a labor strike and moved to Auburn, closing a year later.

Erected 2024 by Indiana Historical Bureau • The City of Butler • Alumni of Eastside High School • Friends of Local History • John Bry.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, Korean • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 41° 25.793′ N, 84° 52.25′ W. Marker is in Butler, Indiana, in DeKalb County

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. It is at the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 6) and North Broadway Street (Indiana Route 1), on the left when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 US-6, Butler IN 46721, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana

and in Greater Fort Wayne.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: American Legion Post No. 202 Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Butler's Thompson Block Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site Of First Settler In DeKalb County (approx. 6 miles away); Edgerton Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.2 miles away in Ohio); Saint Mary School (approx. 6.4 miles away in Ohio); Edgerton Town Hall & Park Opera House (approx. 6½ miles away in Ohio); Edgerton Civil War Monument (approx. 6½ miles away in Ohio); Edgerton Fire Bell (approx. 6½ miles away in Ohio). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butler.

Also see . . . Preserving a legacy. Founder Dorsie Marshall was an owner of the Crown Mercantile Manufacturing Co. with two other gentlemen. That company was created in 1918. Before 1928, Marshall and Harold R. Young created Young-Marshall Inc., which manufactured shrouds and ladies bloomers. Around 1927 or 1928, Young and Marshall relocated their assets from Chicago to Butler. (Jeff Jones, The Star, Dec. 9, 2024) (Submitted on November 20, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Marshall Clothing Mfg. Co. Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2025

2. Marshall Clothing Mfg. Co. Marker, Side Two

Marshall Clothing Mfg. Co. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2025

3. Marshall Clothing Mfg. Co. Marker

The mural is painted on the west wall of the company's manufacturing plant.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.