For nearly a century, this North Central Kansas town enjoyed slow, steady growth with little concern over economic pressures. Situated in the Big Blue River Valley, it became the marketing center for Marshall County farmers. This community was populated by immigrants from Northern Europe. Prairie grass along the valleys and gentle slopes of Marshall County were transformed by immigrants into fertile acres of corn, milo, wheat, alfalfa and soybeans. Descendants of the first Hereford cattle brought into the county from England still are bred here, along with large herds of Angus and dairy cattle.

The Oregon Trail and Mormon Trails converged at a river crossing just south of town. Marysville became the first major station out of St. Joseph, Missouri, on the Pony Express route. One of the buildings used to stable the Pony Express horses was renovated for its historical value. Nearby is the Pony Express Museum in the Old Wells Fargo carriage barn. More than 3,000 historical momentos are kept in the museum on exhibit. It was an important stopover point on the Overland Stage Lines and the military route from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Kearny.

Later, it became a railroad town on Union Pacific Railroads main freight line between Kansas City, Kansas to Hastings, Nebraska. At least 25 one-mile freight trains pass through Marysville daily.

©Copyright 1998 L.A.S.R.