Marion County Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marion County Lake |
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Marion County Lake (2022)
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| Location | Marion County, Kansas |
| Coordinates | 38°19′14″N 96°59′07″W / 38.3206708°N 96.9852588°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary outflows | Cottonwood River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | Marion County |
| Built | 1937 |
| Surface area | 302.5 acres (1.224 km2) park 153 acres (0.62 km2) lake |
| Max. depth | 40 feet (12 m) (1990) |
| Surface elevation | 1,335 feet (407 m) |
| Settlements | Marion |
Marion County Lake is a beautiful lake and park located about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southeast of Marion. It sits on the western edge of the Flint Hills region in Kansas, United States. A small community lives around the lake. It's a popular spot for outdoor fun and a great example of teamwork.
Contents
Building the Lake: A Story of Teamwork
Life During the Great Depression
In the 1930s, the United States faced a very tough time called the Great Depression. Many people lost their jobs and homes. To help, President Franklin D. Roosevelt started a program called the New Deal. This program created jobs for people by funding public projects across the country.
A Project for Marion County
In 1934, Marion County was chosen for a special project. The idea was to build a lake. This would provide jobs and help save water during a time of drought. The Kansas State Fish and Game Commission designed the dam. The park around the lake was designed by Marion County Engineer James Meisner. He wanted the park to be strong and simple, using local rocks.
Who Built the Lake?
The people of Marion County voted to approve the project. It would employ 300 men and 150 teams of animals. Most of the funding came from the New Deal.
On November 7, 1935, a special group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was formed for this project. This group was made up of Black veterans and young men. They arrived in Marion by train on February 3, 1936. They used mules and a steam shovel to build the dam. The park was built by another group called the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Kansas Emergency Relief Committee (KERC).
Working Together
The town of Marion was small, with only a few Black residents at the time. The lake project brought people of different backgrounds together. The CCC group was known for being well-behaved and polite. The local newspaper, the Marion County Record, often wrote about their hard work. The community welcomed them, and they even helped fight a farmhouse fire!
A Presidential Visit
The project was often visited by important people. On October 15, 1936, something very exciting happened. The CCC group quickly formed a marching bugle corps. They gave an impromptu reception for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Imagine meeting the President while you're working on a big project!
The Lake is Finished!
By 1937, Marion County Lake was mostly finished. The construction crew even said the ongoing drought helped them finish on time. By March 1938, the dam was almost done. Picnic areas were ready for use that year.
Then, record rainfall helped the lake fill up quickly. On May 26, 1940, the lake was officially dedicated. Almost 10,000 visitors came, and nearly 2,000 people went fishing. The lake was a huge success, with a depth of 35 feet (11 m) at the dam. Fish had been stocked in the lake for three years, making it a great fishing spot.
A Historical Landmark
As of 1990, the park covered its original 302.5 acres (122.4 ha). The lake itself was 153 acres (62 ha) and had a maximum depth of 40 feet (12 m). In 2002, the facility was recognized as an important historical place. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This was because of its connection to the CCC, WPA, and KERC.
A World Record!
In 2012, something fun happened at the park. An event there set a Guinness World Record! It was for the "most people roasting marshmallows at once." A total of 1,272 people roasted marshmallows together.
Education
The local public schools are part of the Marion–Florence USD 408 school district.
