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Marion, Massachusetts, is a picturesque oceanfront community known for its beautiful harbor and long boating tradition. The town sponsors many boating events every summer, including the well-known Marion-to-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race. The town’s Beverly Yacht Club is host of the 2004 Buzzard’s Bay Regatta. Exquisite yachts fill Marion’s harbor every summer and the town boasts several private and public beaches.
Present-day Marion was originally part of Rochester, MA, and for two centuries the town was known as Sippican, named after the Indian tribe that lived in the area. In 1852, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made Sippican a separate town. Its residents chose the name Marion in honor of the Revolutionary War hero, General Francis Marion.
Marion was home to many sea captains and sailors during the 1800s and a small shipbuilding industry also existed. Many of the sea captains became wealthy ferrying goods to ports throughout the world and built magnificent homes in Marion. The period of the 1880s to early 1900 became known as Marion's "Golden Age." Many famous actors, writers, artists, politicians, and business leaders spent their summers relaxing in the quintessential summer resort. Boston-to-Marion train service also brought well-healed visitors to town during this period.
Quaint Marion "village" is home to many buildings dating back to the 1800s and earlier. Marion's General Store, originally built as a Congregational Meeting House, dates back to 1794. The Museum of Natural History (1872) was funded by town benefactor Elizabeth Taber. Marion Town Hall (1876) was originally built as a classroom for Tabor Academy. Other notable landmarks include the Town Post Office, Marion Town Library, Marion Art Center, Marion Historical Society, Music Hall, Soldiers Memorial, Old Town Landing, and Veteran's Park.
Front Street |
Marion Harbor |
Marion Art Society |
Marion has an excellent public school system and is home to Tabor Academy, an independent, coeducational college preparatory school (grades 9–12). Tabor Academy sprawls over an expansive campus overlooking the harbor and is renowned for its academic excellence.
Tabor Academy |
Tabor Academy |
Sippican School |
There are approximately 2,500 homes in Marion. The median cost of a single-family home is around $325,000. Property values in Marion have increased by 51 percent over the past three years, making the town one of the pricier communities in the SouthCoast Massachusetts region. Marion residents take an active role in town affairs, always seeking civic, cultural, and aesthetic improvements. And with effective fiscal management, the town of Marion recently lowered its 2004 tax rate to $9.56 per $1,000 of property value.
Sippican Historical Society
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Marion Harbor |
Marion General Store
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- Total valuation: $1,098,602,690
- Residential, 88.7%; commercial, 7%; industrial, 2.6%; personal, 1.7%
- FY03 Tax rate: $10.07 per thousand
- 2003 population: 5,093
- Per capita income: $21,876
- Area: 14.63 square miles
- Miles of public road: 20.33
- Local School Committee
- Susan S. Grosart, chairwoman
- Kathleen L. Bost
- Karen C. Kevelson
- John J. Russell
- Joseph A. Berry
- Old Rochester Regional School Committee (Marion members)
- Sheri L. Gay
- John J. Russell
- Alan Harris
- Administration, 758-2772
- School Superintendent -- William R. Cooper
- Associate Superintendent for Finance and Planning -- Timothy J. O'Connor
- Director of Special Education -- Teresa M. Hamm
- Curriculum Coordinator -- Michelle Roy
- Technology Coordinator -- Ann Petruzziello
- Sippican School
- Address: 16 Spring Street
- Telephone: 508-748-0100
- Grades: preschool - 6
- Principal: Marylou S. Hobson
- Old Rochester Regional Junior High School
- Address: 133 Marion Road, Mattapoisett
- Telephone: 508-758-4928
- Grades: 7 - 8
- Principal: Stephen Helman
- Old Rochester Regional High School
- Address: 135 Marion Road, Mattapoisett
- Telephone: 508-758-3745
- Grades: 9 - 12
- Principal: Bruce Clarke
- Water: 98 percent of town served by town water
- Sewer: 60 percent served by town sewer
- Trash: 100 percent has town trash collection/recycling
- Library: Elizabeth Taber Library, Spring Street, 748-1252
- Silvershell Beach, Front Street
- Island Wharf, Front Street
- Veterans' Memorial Park at Old Landing, Front Street
- Washburn Park, Washburn Lane
- Bicentennial Park, Spring Street
- Holmes Woods, Spring and Mill Streets
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