History

In 1887 Marion granted J.A. Jones of Wichita Kansas to erect and maintain electric lights and power in Marion. The electrical system was functioning in 1891. The original light plant burned and the city was without electricity for several years. The citizens of Marion voted in favor of a $12,000 bond issue to build a light plant in 1909. This system has been enlarged and extended as the need increased though the years. The municipally owned electric plant valued at over $1,000,000 in 1971 had served Marion well and also provided a large part of the city’s income. In 1975 Kansas Power and Light proposed to Marion that they could provide electricity to the City at a lower cost than Marion producing their own. A contract was signed and KPL, now named Westar, provides 34,500 volts of electrical service to Marion which is reduced to 12,500 volts before it goes to the distribution system.