This Vault In Ohio Holds One Of The World’s Most Closely-Guarded Secrets
Marion, Ohio, is a treasure trove of history that’s home to places of immense significance and stature. Home to over a dozen places listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Marion is a small town with a big role in Ohio history, as it’s home to sites such as the Warren G. Harding House, Harding Tomb, Palace Theatre, and Marion County Courthouse. The history isn’t buried in the past in Marion, either; in fact, recently, a secret vault was discovered in this Ohio town that left historians in awe.
By all appearances, Marion is your typical small town in Ohio. Home to a robust population of 35,000, this "big little" town is located just north of Columbus.
But Marion doesn't play second fiddle to our state's capital city... not even close. With nearly 20 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Marion is a treasure trove for history buffs in the Buckeye State.
The town is perhaps best-known as the home of U.S. President Warren G. Harding. Not only did Harding do most of his "front porch" campaigning from his home in Marion, but after his death, the former president was buried in the eponymous Harding Tomb, also located in town.
It's not just Marion's presidential ties that put this Ohio town on the map; built between 1884 and 1886, the Marion County Courthouse is the seat of government for Marion County, Ohio, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Known for its ornate decor -- its 10 niches are decorated with sandstone heads of various figures -- in the past few years, historians have made a series of fascinating discoveries at this courthouse.
During the pandemic, workers at this Ohio courthouse discovered a secret vault and were able to crack the code to open it up. What they found was amazing: a room full of historic documents that had been untouched for years. It was a historian's dream discovery; stacks of documents offering clues and bread crumbs into the past.
More recently, workers unearthed several paintings while renovating the building. Hidden inconspicuously behind a furnace, coated with dust, and damaged from water, a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt was found by workers. Since then, three more portraits, one in the restroom and the other behind a wall, have been found, and historians believe there are more waiting to be discovered.
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
