Marion County is a rural county centered on the city of Buena Vista. County residents seek to uphold and enhance the area’s economy, rural quality of life, and sense of community pride. 

 

Marion County was named for Revolutionary War General Francis Marion, who was known as the “Swamp Fox” for his crafty exploits. Today Buena Vista hosts an award-winning distillery – the Swamp Fox Distilling Company – named in his honor. Buena Vista is also the hometown of legendary baseball player Josh Gibson, featured in the Negro League Hall of Fame. Wildlife management areas (WMA), including the Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA, provide access to outstanding longleaf pine forests, hunting, and fishing in the county. Marion County is home to Pasaquan, a 7-acre compound near Buena Vista. It was created by an eccentric folk artist named Eddie Owens Martin, who called himself St. EOM. Today, Pasaquan is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered among the most important visionary art environments in the United States. The site has been completely restored through a partnership between Columbus State University and the Kohler Foundation.

​