About Our Little Town

Marionville, Missouri—once known as “The Land of Seven Springs”—was founded in 1854 by James Marion Moore. Early settlers were drawn to the area by its abundant, clear springs, which provided reliable fresh water and made Marionville a natural place to settle, grow, and build community.

From the beginning, Marionville has been shaped by local enterprise. In 1911, a creamery was established in what is now the City Park and quickly became one of the most successful in the state, ranking second in Missouri and producing more than 38,000 pounds of butter in 1913. Soon after, the Honey Creek Bottling Works, a local soft drink company, opened nearby, followed by a tomato canning factory that supported local agriculture and jobs.

When the canning factory later closed, the community once again stepped up. In 1963, the Marionville Lions Club, along with committed residents, purchased the land and transformed it into what is now the City Park—demonstrating the town’s long-standing tradition of working together for the common good.

Marionville is proudly known as the Home of the White Squirrels. These rare, all-white squirrels have lived here since the late 1800s and are protected by city law. They’ve appeared in the 1915 Marionville College yearbook and have received national recognition through newspapers and televised documentaries, becoming a unique symbol of our town.

In 1938, Marionville earned the title “Apple Capital of Missouri”, thanks to the abundance of apple orchards in the area. Visitors continue to return for fresh apples, Applefest, and the charm of historic homes shaded by towering oak trees.