Marion's Oyster Bar
City's dining history on the half shell
A glowing review from the Marion Chronicle Tribune, December 24, 1896.
The Oyster Bay Hotel, located at 212-218 South Washington Street, was known by travelers and salespeople throughout the state. With sixty rooms, it had “every modern convenience.” The main attraction was the Oyster Bar, the dining room where locals and guests crowded in to dine upon the tasty bivalves
What’s with oysters, you may ask? In the 1890’s, oysters were being shipped by rail from the Chesapeake Bay and the waters off of New York City by the hundreds of thousands. Put into barrels, filled to the top, and sealed tight with no air space, they were transported to major shipping hubs, including Chicago and Louisville.
The Oyster Bar and other eating places in downtown carried weekly ads boasting of the quality and quantity of their shellfish. Marion's papers of the day are filled with recipes for fixing various dishes and even encouraged eating the tasty bivalves raw. Churches and civic organizations sponsored oyster dinners. One historian wrote about this national craze as “The Golden Age of Oysters”
Marion’s “Golden Age of Oysters” lasted until the early 20th century. One problem was that the shellfish supply was rapidly depleted by overfishing. The rapid industrialization in the area near their beds led to serious contamination of the crop. Both led to diminished demand among the dining public.
In Marion, a concerted campaign by local churches led to a city-wide ban on alcohol. In 1908, reformers demanded the closing of city bars and saloons. The first to be closed was the Oyter Bar. A few attempts were made to restore the establishment, but none succeeded.
Bunish, S. The Golden Age of Marion
Kooiman, S. (2017, February 23). The great oyster craze: Why 19th century Americans loved oysters. Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program. https://campusarch.msu.edu/?p=4962
Kurlansky, M. (2006). The big oyster: History on the half shell. Ballantine Books.
“Last Oasis is Now Dry'“Chronicle Tribune (Marion, Indiana) · Fri, Nov 5, 1909 · Page1
National Endowment for the Humanities. (2011, June 16). Oyster wars. https://www.neh.gov/news/oyster-wars
Vance Graham Chronicle Tribune Marion, Indiana Thu, December 24, 1896 · Page 20
Good article.
I've always been curious how oysters were so readily available here in the midwest. My great grandmother, grandmother and mother always prepared oyster dressing for holidays. Now I get it, thanks Bill.