Marsland ghost town was established in August 1889 when the Belmont Tunnel was constructed. It was named ‘Marsland’ after the manager of the railroads at the time Thomas Marsland. The town flourished for several years before it was deserted by its residents rendering it a ghost town.

The story behind the development of the town 

Marsland town was established as a result of the construction of the Belmont Tunnel. The town which was named in honor of the manager of the railroads' General manager Thomas Marsland was located along with the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy railroad. A post office was moved to Marsland from Carbin during the same period. The relocation of the post office led to further growth of Marsland town.  Although the town’s economy was never dependent on the active construction work of the Belmont Tunnel, it rose due to its effect.  In the year 1890, the construction of the tunnel ended but this did not limit the town’s growth as a new business was established after this. Newspaper and grocery stores together with a blacksmith shop were some of the businesses that came up during this period. A hotel was opened to the south of the town district and two churches were established in the year that followed.  A flour mill and an ice-producing store were other businesses created that boosted the economy of the town by offering employment opportunities to the residents. The population of the town increased rapidly as more than 200 residents had moved to this town by 1910. 

The decline of the town

The town expanded as the new businesses sprung up in the town. However, misfortunes began to follow the town. Frequent fire outbreaks in the town became a menace but one in particular almost drove the town to its knees. The fire consumed half of the town destroying buildings and the valuables within them. Due to this, those residents whose businesses were burnt relocated to new places leaving a few families living in the townsite. 

The families who were left in the townsite relocated to other places as they faced financial difficulty and drought at the same time. The townsite was deserted leaving only a few diehard individuals who resided in the town till their deaths. The houses that they resided in are still standing intact.

Remnants of Marsland 

A number of houses and commercial buildings still exist to date. However, a small population of the residents who were left in the town after financial and drought threats occupy the townsite. The school of Marsland was renovated and is now in good condition but privately owned. One can pay for an adventure to this townsite and have a view of a once booming town which is now a ghost town.