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Marion County, located in Oregon, has a rich history that spans over several years. Here are seven interesting facts about Marion County's history that you might not know:
1. The county was founded in 1843 and named after Francis Marion, a Revolutionary War hero who was nicknamed the "Swamp Fox."
2. The first European settlers in the area were missionaries who came to convert the Native American population to Christianity in the early 1830s.
3. Marion County was once home to the largest covered bridge in the world. The Wooden Covered Bridge was constructed in 1937 and spanned 180 feet across the North Santiam River. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a flood in 1964.
4. The Oregonian, the state's largest newspaper, was founded in Salem, the county seat of Marion County, in 1850.
5. In the mid-19th century, Salem was a center for the anti-slavery movement in Oregon. The state had a small but vocal group of abolitionists, and they organized meetings and rallies in the city.
6. In 1905, the Oregon State Fair moved to Salem and has been held there ever since. Today, the fair attracts over 250,000 visitors each year.
7. In 1935, the city of Silverton, located in Marion County, became famous thanks to the film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice. The film crew used the town as a stand-in for the English village of Meryton, and many of the town's historic buildings were used as set pieces.
These are just a few of the fascinating facts about Marion County's history. From its early missionary settlements to its role in the anti-slavery movement, the county has played a significant part in Oregon's past and continues to be an important part of the state's present.
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