Marceline Map
Marceline is a city in Chariton and Linn Counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 2,221 at the 2010 census.
In 1887 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway began construction from Kansas City, Missouri to Chicago. A location was chosen as a terminal or division point between Kansas City and Fort Madison, Iowa, dividing the distance between Chicago and Kansas City into thirds and by January 1888 the first town lot was sold in the newly platted division point of the railway, later called Marceline. The community got its name at the request of one of the directors of the new railroad, whose wife bore the name Marcelina. With a slight change, her name was attached to the new railroad city.
The city grew so rapidly that by summer, it boasted a population of 2,500. At the 2000 census, Marceline was the second largest city of Linn County, Missouri. Marceline is best known for being the boyhood hometown of Walt Disney. Although the family lived here for only four years, Disney's ties to Marceline are pronounced, with the elementary school and post office named for him. The town also provided inspiration for the film Lady and the Tramp. One of the city's major events is September's ToonFest, to which well-known artists are invited.
Nearby cities include New Cambria, Mendon, Laclede, Sumner, Linneus.