Marshall blends rural roots with a vibrant arts scene
Just minutes from the Indiana state line, Marshall is a rural Illinois community with a notable amount of music, art and culture. Annual and weekly events bring out the area's 4,000 residents, and local businesses display their small-town pride with custom murals and painted statues. "People move here specifically for that village-like, Mayberry feeling," says Paula Clawson, a Realtor with Crossroads Realty and a lifelong Marshall resident. "There are also people who were born and raised here and never had a reason to leave," she continues. "We are still a farming community, after all, and many multi-generational families have stayed local."
Historic and newer homes hold their value well
Most of Marshall's homes are towards the center of town, and others are in small suburban neighborhoods around the outskirts or along county roads. Wherever they are, the houses are well-maintained and have neat, mowed lawns. "Marshall is known to new buyers moving in as a quaint and clean community, where people take care of their properties and shared spaces," Clawson says. Cape Cods, bungalows and late-1800s cottages on quarter-acre lots range between $40,000 and $140,000. Colonial Revivals, large Victorian homes and split-levels sell for $150,000 to $360,000. Limited New Traditional homes from 2000 and later sell from $280,000 to $390,000. "Our homes hold their value well – more so than in nearby small communities," Clawson says. "The values are higher and stay that way because of their quality and upkeep."
Annual events and multi-generational musicians
There’s no shortage of ways for the community to gather in Marshall. “We have Hometown Holly Days around Christmastime, music every Friday night, the Clark County Fair and Fourth of July festivities,” Clawson says. Marshall Autumn Fest has been the area’s celebration of fall for over 75 years, with vendors, a parade, a 5k run and a beer garden. Clawson says the event attracts upwards of 20,000 people – five times the area’s population.
The Marshall City Band began performing 150 years ago, in 1875. Since then, the musical group has expanded from less than 10 members to a group nearly 60 strong. The band’s longest-running member, Harold Ellshoff, played for 64 years, and four generations of relatives have since followed his lead. The band plays on summer Fridays at the bandstand downtown, during the local farmers market.
Murals and lion statues showcase pride in small businesses
Nearly 20 murals decorate the downtown area, painted on the walls of businesses, stores and restaurants. Artists include those from Idaho, Amsterdam and Scotland. Archer Avenue is the main strip of two and three-story Italianate buildings with locally owned shops like Gypsy Queen Coffee. The brick-walled dining room with leather chairs and small tables is a great spot to get work done or catch up with friends. Banks, medical centers, manufacturers and other locally owned businesses in the county show off their pride with painted statues of lions, the high school's mascot. There are currently 37 customized lions to discover. Walmart Supercenter and fast-food chains are north, near the interstate.
Marshall residents enjoy local parks and nearby state recreation
Parks around town have different amenities: Lion Land Park has a gazebo and fenced-in playground; Forsythe Fields has baseball and softball diamonds; and the green space behind South Elementary School has new pickleball courts with lights for evening play. Residents can take swimming and aerobics classes at Marshall Community Pool or cool off in the waterslide and zero-entry kids' section. Lincoln Trail State Park and Mill Creek Lake and Park are each a few miles away with RV camping, mountain biking, boating and hiking.
Schools support academics and community involvement
For Kindergarten through second grade, students learn at Marshall South Elementary School, rated B by Niche. Marshall North Elementary School for third through sixth-grade also earns a B. Marshall Jr. High School is rated B-plus, and Marshall High School is rated A-minus. Many students perform in the Marshall City Band, and, year after year, the school's band program has individuals who receive all-state musician awards.
Local jobs and easy commutes to Terre Haute and larger cities
ZF Group is a technology manufacturing company in Marshall that employs a large percentage of the area's workforce. Being just 9 miles from the state line, Marshall also has many residents who commute about 16 miles to Terre Haute , Indiana. U.S Route 40 and Interstate 70 are the main highways that pass through Terre Haute and continue to Indianapolis , about 90 miles east. There is a walk-in clinic in town, and Terre Haute Regional Hospital is less than 20 miles away. Indianapolis International Airport is at the southwestern end of the city, off I-70.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
