This Day in Illinois History: Marion, IL Selected as Williamson County Seat

On this day (August 19) in 1839, the founders of downstate Williamson County, IL met to create a seat for the new county — which ended up as Marion, IL.

The city is named after American Revolutionary War hero General Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion, who is considered to be one of the fathers of modern guerrilla warfare.

The "Swamp Fox" was also one of the major influences behind Mel Gibson's main character (Benjamin Martin) in the 2000 movie, "The Patriot."