The name: At one time, the town suffered from an identity crisis as it was known by four names — at the same time. Some — including Earl and Mark Marsing, who settled the area in 1913 — called the town Butte for nearby Lizard Butte. When the railroad came into town, the depot bore the name Erb, named after former state Public Utilities Commissioner George Erb. Still others called it Claytonia, for nearby landowner Benjamin Clay.

The official name probably came at the instigation of the Postal Service after officials objected to the Butte name because the moniker already was taken by several other post offices. The name was changed to Marsing.

History: The small town of Marsing may be able to attribute its incorporation to a bridge.

Before 1920, visiting what is now downtown Marsing required a trip by ferry, but in 1920 a bridge was built near the base of nearby Lizard Butte and the community started to build upon what began in 1913 with the establishment of a pumping plant by the Gem Irrigation District. The station helped attract homesteaders who arrived to grow crops.

Also helping spur growth was a unique deal offered by the town’s founders, who included brothers Mark and Earl “Q.” Marsing.

They offered potential landowners a shot at prime property along Main Street that many investors found hard to pass up. Those who bought 25 feet of property exposed to Main Street received an additional 25 feet at no charge.

Trivia fact: The general store, which opened when the city started, was lost in a fire in the 1940s.