Marshall in Lyon County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Main Street & Third Street
Marshall: A Walk Into the Past
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
1. Main Street & Third Street Marker
The central business district in Marshall has always been clearly defined geographically, bordered on two sides by the Great Northern Railroad and the former Chicago and Northwestern Railroad tracks. Historically, the retail center of Marshall has consisted of Main Street and Third Street. A variety of businesses, including grocery stores, drug stores, clothing stores, banks, service stations, and restaurants filled buildings along Third Street.
"I was a working girl in Marshall and remember her well (Madame Smith), especially since she made my wedding dress. I had picked out a picture of the style I wanted in a magazine, she told me how much material to order and in one day she made my dress. I remember the dread I felt when she took her huge scissors and started cutting the satin and lace I had ordered for my dress. She took a few measurements, but she did not use a pattern. She just started cutting. She had an assistant at that time that made the covered buttons for my dress. She was a 'wonder'. She never failed to express her opinion either."
Pearl (Wilson) White, Email to the Independent, 2007
[Photo captions, clockwise from top left, read]
this page online
Look directly across the street and to your right.
• Third Street. Circa 1935. Look directly across the street.
• John Martinson and Shirley Halvorson at S & L Department store on Third Street, April 17, 1957. S & L was located at 114 N 3rd St.
• East on Main Street. Circa 1955.
Look across the street and look to your left.
• RED OWL WHOLE CARDAMOM SEED
• Corner of Main and Third Street. Circa 1912. Look to your left.
In later years, Madame Smith's office was located on the second floor of this building.
Erected by Lyon County Historical Society, and Marshall Community Foundation in memory of Norman and Irene Timm.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is April 17, 1957.
Location. 44° 26.856′ N, 95° 47.393′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Minnesota, in Lyon County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 59) and 3rd Street, on the left when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 West Main Street, Marshall MN 56258, United States
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
2. Main Street & Third Street and Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the Great Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street & East College Drive (within shouting distance of this marker); 9/11 Memorial Park/Designer Gene Ernst's Inspiration and Vision (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); Lyon County, Minnesota Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mrs. Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mrs. Whitney Statue Artist John Knife Sterner (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honoring Marshall Area Artist Jim Dahl (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
