100 years ago

march 31, 1910

The Old Costello Building

The old Costello building at the corner of Main and First streets will be torn down to make way for the building which C.C. Johnson is to erect there to rent to the Hirschler Automobile Co.

This building was the second stone business building put up in town and around it clusters much of the early history of Marion.

It was built by Jack Costello for his store—the store which for years he advertised as “The Everything Store.”

It was put up in the Fall and Winter of ’68-’69. The contract for the stone work was held by Stewart Campbell and he and John A. Jones did the stone cutting. David Eby was the contractor for the wood work. Most of the wood work was done by Major Fred Lewis.

When the building was completed, a big “Opening” was one of the biggest events of the kind in that early day. People came from many miles—they had to or there wouldn’t have been many there—and there was speech making and then—let it be whispered—there was a barrel in the cellar that was opened. No, it wasn’t a barrel of sauer kraut. But don’t get so impertinent. What difference does it make?

At the time of the last Indian raid, this building was one of the buildings used as a fort, and a stone wall, chest high on a man, was built all around the building.

The building was used for a Post Office for a number of years, and during the time when Costello maintained there the principal store in town, many a warm debate was held by the old stove, and many a political plan hatched.

Many years have passed since the building was one of the important buildings of the town, but let no word of scorn be uttered by any of those who were not here to participate in the trials and struggles and victories of the pioneer days.

The old structure is no longer a thing of beauty and the building which takes its place will add to the sightliness of the locality, but nevertheless, its passing has a touch of tenderness about it for all who honor the heroes who laid the foundations of the community.