Marion County Auction

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. At dawn, when Marion County Auction grounds were quietest, a delivery driver noticed something odd. The old clock tower seemed to chime not just hours, but minutes too—each tick accompanied by a distant honk from the auction yard's abandoned cars. Curious, he followed the sound and found an ancient Volkswagen beetle, its headlights dimly glowing in the pre-dawn darkness. As he approached, the car’s horn played ‘Happy Birthday’—twice. Turned out, it was just an old timer with a faulty timing belt and a birthday wish for every passerby.

2. At dusk, when Marion County Auction grounds were almost empty, an auctioneer’s voice echoed through the yard: ‘Next lot—an old truck that talks!’ Curious buyers crowded around, but only one regular asked, ‘Does it come with its own gas tank?’ The auctioneer nodded mysteriously and pointed towards a rusty pickup truck. Suddenly, in a deep gravelly voice, the truck said, 'Fill me up!' Everyone burst out laughing, including the delivery driver next to him who quipped, 'Guess he needs more than just a new owner.' The regular grinned, whistling as he walked away, knowing full well that sometimes the best deals are found where you least expect them.

3. At noon, when Marion County Auction grounds were busiest, a regular heard an announcement over the PA: ‘Attention bidders—your winning bids will be delivered not as cash, but in freshly printed jokes!’ A delivery driver, puzzled beyond belief, asked aloud, ‘Jokes?! What am I supposed to do with these?’ Just then, his neighbor walked by and whispered, ‘Better hope you won something funny.’ The driver shook his head and muttered, ‘I’ll take my chances…’

4. At sunset, when Marion County Auction grounds were nearly deserted, a little girl pointed excitedly and whispered, ‘Daddy, look! The cars are talking!’ The father squinted into the twilight, then laughed gently. ‘Honey,’ he said, ‘those aren’t cars talking—just old men like me, waiting for our rides.’ They both watched as an elderly gentleman in a battered hat approached his truck, muttering something under his breath. The little girl giggled, leaning closer to whisper, ‘But Daddy, that man sounds just like one of those cars!’