1. Marion Union Station Association

0

Marion, OH

Cancel

Open app

Search

Marion Union Station Association

4.0 (2 reviews)

Marion Union Station Association Photos

Recommended Reviews - Marion Union Station Association

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration
Photo of T.J. G.
325
237
1051

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Peter G.
12
365
830

11 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Verify this business for free

Get access to customer & competitor insights.

Verify this business

Harding Memorial

Harding Memorial

4.9(9 reviews)
1.3 mi

There are TWO Harding sites in Marion. There is the Harding Home Historical Site (Library and…read moreMuseum) which is about a mile from the Harding Memorial. If you're in town - be sure to visit both. The Harding Memorial is a stunning memorial and includes the burial sites for both Harding and his wife, Florence. Thie memorial rivals some of the more famous memorials in Washington, DC. There is no admission fee for the Harding Memorial.

William Harding was the 29th President of the United States and long time Marion, Ohio resident…read more The Harding Memorial is the burial site of President Harding and his wife Florence. It is also known as the Harding Tomb. This is one of the last elaborate presidential tombs ever made. The memorial is managed by the Ohio Historical Society. The circular marble structure is reminiscent of something out of ancient Greece. It has no roof in an effort to honor President Harding's wish to be buried in a simple grave under a tree and the stars. The memorial is the work of Henry Hombostel and Eric Wood. It was completed in 1927, but due to President Harding being marred by personal controversies and scandals at the time of his death, the Memorial was not officially dedicated until 1931 by President Herbert Hoover. It costed $783,103, which is approximately $15.3 million. It stands about 53 feet tall and has a diameter of 103 feet. The memorial is across from the Marion Cemetery and has a small private parking lot. The grounds are immaculate. It has a lot of green space and a small round structure at the base of the memorial that has informational placards about President Harding, his wife and his presidency/life. The President and First Lady's crypts are fenced off so visitors can not go up to them. You can easily view them through the fence though. There is not much to see on the backside of the memorial except the structure itself. This is not a very long stop but could easily be coupled with other nearby attractions such as the Harding Library, the Marion Cemetery, and/or the Marion Veterans Park to maximize your time.

Photos
Harding Memorial
Harding Memorial
Harding Memorial

See all

Merchant Ball

Merchant Ball

4.0(1 review)
1.3 mi

You will find this gem tucked away in the back corner of the Marion Cemetery. It was installed back…read morein 1896 by the Merchant family to mark the grave of their patriarch Charles Merchant. It consists of a large ball perched upon a stone plinth. The ball is made of Quincy black granite, which is not quarried anymore. The structure has smaller balls placed in a circular formation around it. Parking here is simple. You just pull up on the nearest driveway, stop and explore. The ball is polished to a shine with the exception of one spot. If you look closely, you will see a circular patch on the ball. That is where it originally made contact with the pedestal that it is sitting on. Rumor has it that the 5.2-ton ball has been slowly rotating somehow. Many have speculated the cause of the movement, including ghost, but there has not been a definitive explanation given to this day. The shifting was first noticed by the Merchant family who had the giant stone lifted by a crane and placed back in its rightful orientation in 1898. They also secured it with some tar. This is a neat unexplained phenomenon that is worth a visit if you are in Marion, just to say that you have seen it. Either way, do not go there thinking you will witness the ball revolving. It only moves a fraction of an inch a year. This memorial is not a large consumer of your time. I was there less than 5 minutes, so I recommend checking out the Harding Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park, the Merchant Memorial, and the Marion County Firefighter's memorial, The WWII Marion County Veterans Memorial, all with in a half a mile. Fun Fact: The structure was featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not," in 1929 and there is a water fountain created in the likeness of the structure outside the" Ripley's Believe It or Not" Museum in Myrtle Beach.

Photos
Merchant Ball
Merchant Ball
Merchant Ball

See all

Harding Presidential Sites - Front of Press house

Harding Presidential Sites

4.5(17 reviews)
1.0 mi

While the staff altogether welcoming and friendly, it was Theodore who provided a skilled and…read moreprofessional tour of the Harding home. His style was factual and warm, but he didn't overwhelm us with too much detail. However in asking a number of random questions, he was surprisingly knowledgeable and engaging with additional knowledgeable about the neighbors, Harding's staff, the renovations and historical settings of the time. Thoroughly enjoyable!!

I am a self-proclaimed presidential history nerd visiting from Texas. I've read a biography on…read moreevery president in order through Eisenhower, and my bucket list includes visiting where each was born and their final resting places. Of course, I also make it a point to visit presidential libraries, national historic sites, etc. I've visited dozens of locations across multiple states. This morning found me the only one on the 10 o'clock tour of the home. It was neat to sit on the front porch and reflect for a while... I highly recommend the tour, especially if you're with Theodore, he really knows his stuff. I love that the house is 95% original to when Harding left for the White House. That's incredible! Some of the cooler artifacts include: Harding's hats, canes, and the gavel when Harding was chair of the RNC. Although I appreciated the history and authenticity of the home, it's just not as awe inspiring as some places I've been. I can't really describe it. The museum is the same way. Beautiful building, and the layout and collections are impressive (like the suit he wore at his inauguration, and his Senate desk and chair from 1900). Let's be honest, they did an impressive job for a president who didn't live through his term. Again, the sites are well maintained and beautiful; I'm glad I visited. It's just not jaw dropping like some experiences I've had. I spent several minutes in the gift shop trying to decide how to commemorate my visit. In the end, despite the gift shop looking well stocked... options feel limited.

Photos
Harding Presidential Sites
Harding Presidential Sites
Harding Presidential Sites

See all

Marion Union Station Association - museums - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...