Marionville is an Ozarks city and home to rare wildlife
Marionville is in a rural region of the Ozarks far removed from the crowds and noises of Missouri’s largest metro areas. “I like it, personally, because it’s kind of halfway between Springfield and Table Rock Lake. It’s kind of a middle ground if you want to go to town, or if you want to go fish or have a good day on the lake,” says Kris Bowling, Marionville’s fire chief. “It’s a smaller and kind of quiet bedroom community. It’s got a lot of good things within 30 to 40 minutes of drive time.” That being said, it does have one draw for tourists: its population of white squirrels. These rare but protected rodents may be spotted in yards and trees across this city of about 2,200 people.
Housing ranges from Queen Annes to New Traditional homes
Mature oak trees surround some of the homes here, while other homes are next to spacious green spaces. Houses include ranch-style homes, Craftsman bungalows and a few ornate Queen Annes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city also has brick New Traditional homes on its outskirts. “We’ve had a lot of new homes built, and a lot of homes that have been empty for the last 15 or 20 years are being remodeled,” says Bowling, also the city’s public works manager. Depending on size and lot acreage, homes here mostly go from about $120,000 to $440,000. Most residents are homeowners, but about a third of the city rents.
Mom and pop staples serve a variety of options
Marionville has a few mom and pop restaurants offering different dining options. One of the city’s two Mexican restaurants, Chiquis Cocina, specializes in Sinaloa-style cuisine. The restaurant has an outdoor patio with views of the peaceful farmland that surrounds the town. Alice Irene’s Restaurant has buffets and serves American comfort food and breakfast. Opened in 2025, B’s & G’s Dairy is a burger and ice cream joint that’s quickly gained a following. “It’s really cool because it’s like an old drive-in kind of restaurant,” says Matt Maples, a Realtor with Century 21 Family Tree. “Every time you go there, you have to wait in line, and it has a walk-up window.” The Mulberry Tree Saloon offers a late-night hangout with pool tables and live music. For groceries, residents may go to Walmart in nearby Aurora.
Recreation includes baseball, fishing, boating and golf
Outdoor amenities here include Marionville City Park, which has a playground and a few baseball fields. Honey Creek passes through the park, providing a local fishing spot. “There are a lot of local kids that are in that park, fishing,” Bowling says. Honey Creek Golf Club is located about 8 miles outside the city and offers a public 18-hole course with wooded, hilly terrain. Marionville is about a 40-mile drive north of the shores and resorts of Table Rock Lake. The vast reservoir is a destination for boaters and anglers looking for trophy bass and catfish. Hikers may also access forested trails off the lake’s more than 800 miles of shoreline.
Students can attend the well-rated Marionville R-IX School District
The city is home to Marionville R-IX School District, which receives a B-plus from Niche. Students may start at Marionville Elementary School, which gets a B grade. Marionville Middle School receives an A, while Marionville High gets a B-plus. The high school’s athletics include a strong football team that won a state title in 2023 and reached the district finals the following year.
Marionville Applefest is a local tradition each fall
Marionville Applefest celebrates the fall equinox and apple harvest season each year. In September, food trucks and craft booths are set up around the town square; live music, a pageant and a parade draw crowds. In addition to food trucks, there are plenty of classic apple-based treats for sale, including apple pie and caramel-coated candy apples
U.S. 60 connects Marionville to Springfield and other neighbors
Commuters may take U.S. Highway 60 to regional neighbors like Aurora and Springfield. Marionville is less than 10 miles east of Aurora and 25 miles southwest of Springfield, the region’s largest city. Aurora has the nearest hospital, the 25-bed Mercy Hospital Aurora. Springfield-Branson National Airport is the nearest commercial airport.
Tornadoes come through, but they're rarely severe
Tornadoes are common in Missouri. Marionville is no different, but most tornadoes that come through the region are weak to moderate in strength. The last severe tornado to affect the area was in 2006.
