Community art: bowling league black squirrel.

Black Squirrel Town

Marysville, Kansas

Black squirrels can be found in many areas mixed with other squirrels, but only a few towns practice Black Squirrel boosterism. Marysville bills itself as "Home of the Black Squirrels," and it deserves to. The town has named the black squirrel its official mascot, and holds an annual Black Squirrel Celebration. In 1987, the "Black Squirrel Song" became Marysville's official anthem:

"Lives in the city park,
runs all over town
The coal black squirrel will be our pride and joy
Many more years to come!"

In 2018, Maryville was populated with large, decorated black squirrel statues, part of a community art project. Several still stand in downtown.

According to local historians, the black squirrels have been in Marysville since the late 1920s, when they escaped from a traveling circus.