In 1851, Francis J. (Frank) Marshall of Weston, Missouri arrived at the bank of the Big Blue River (Kansas)Big Blue River. He came here to establish a trading post and to operate a ferry. On November 11, 1854 Marshall opened the first civilian Post Office in the Territory of Kansas. Marshall lent his name to the county, and Marysville was named to honor his wife Mary. Mr. Marshall charged up to $5.00 per wagon and 25 cents per head of livestock to use his cable ferryrope powered ferry across the Big Blue river, which operated until replaced by a bridge in 1864. He was a pro slavery candidate for governor in 1857. Marysville was located on the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the route of the Pony Express, the St. Joe Road, the Overland Stage, The Military Road, and the Otoe-Missouria Trail. The old Pony Express Station still stands in downtown Marysville. Marysville owes much of its prosperity to the Union Pacific Railroad, though the railroad itself does not cross the Blue River in Marysville. The railroad has been a major employer in the town for nearly 100 years. Over 60 trains pass through the town daily and the railroad recently completed an underpass which redirects the tracks below US-36, rather than crossing the highway and backing up traffic. Marysville is also known as the "Black Squirrel City" due to an isolated community of all-black squirrels that makes its home in the town. The squirrels are said to be the result of escapees from a travelling circus. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marysville%2C_Kansas