History of Monroe, Michigan, USA

The area of Frenchtown was renamed after the War of 1812 and incorporated as the village of Monroe in honor of President James Monroe, who visited the Michigan Territory in 1817.

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1854 - Monroe
Monroe, a nourishing town, capital of Monroe county, Michigan, is pleasantly situated on both sides of the Raisin river, 2 miles from its entrance into Lake Erie, and at the E. terminus of the Michigan Southern railroad, 40 miles S. W. from Detroit. It is connected with the lake by a ship-canal, and is the terminus of two plank-roads. The court-house, which is built of hewn stone, cost $35,000. The town contains 6 churches, several of which are handsome buildings, a female seminary, and 3 newspaper offices. The valley of Raisin river is said to be equal in fertility to any part of the state. Monroe is the principal market* for the wheat produced in several adjoining counties. It contains manufactories of wool, flour, lumber, and leather. The reported value of imports and exports in 1851 was $4,863,023. This place was settled by the French, about 1776, but the present town has been mostly built since 1835. Population in 1850, 2813; in 1853, about 3500.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1871 - Near Monroe, Mich., the other night, a crowd, of young men assembled to charivari a newly married couple at the residence of Mr. Mordecai Kelley.
Mr. Kelley, hearing the noise, arouse, and, taking an old, unused gun, snapped it at the crowd, when it went off, instantly killing a brother of the bride, named Garton, and seriously wounding two others. Mr. Kelley did not discover what he had done until the next morning, as the boys carried away their comrades. He surrendered himself to the Sheriff claiming that he thought the gun was not loaded, and that he only intended to frighten the boys.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 4, 1871

1880 - Fourteen years ago J. M. Sterling, of Monroe Mich., placed two gateposts of white oak in front of his residence.
When they were set, he bored into the top of each, with an inch and a half auger, a hole three inches deep, filled it with common salt, tightly plugged it, and capped the posts. A recent examination of the posts proved that they were as sound from top to bottom as when they were placed in position.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
September 11, 1880

1888 - Charles Wingard and Annie Fox, his niece, who eloped from Monroe, Mich., and were captured an taken to Alliance O., committed suicide with pistols on the 22d.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
February 25, 1888

1895 - Monroe
Monroe, a city, the capital of Monroe co., Mich., is situated on the Raisin River, 2 miles from its entrance into Lake Erie, 35 miles S.S.W. of Detroit, 20 miles N.N.E. of Toledo, and 31 miles E. of Adrian. It is connected with the lake by a ship-canal, is on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and is the S. terminus of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. The Toledo, Canada Southern & Detroit Railroad connects it with Detroit and Toledo. It contains a stone court-house, several handsome residences, 1 or 2 national banks, 2 private banks, 2 newspaper offices, a young ladies' collegiate institute, 9 churches, 5 flouring mills, 2 foundries, 2 tanneries, a woollen-mill, a brewery, a stave-factory, 2 large nurseries, and manufactories of sash and blinds, lumber, tobacco, and wine. Pop. (1890) 5258.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Monroe, a city, the capital of Monroe co., Mich., is situated on the Raisin River, 2 miles from its entrance into Lake Erie and 31 miles E. of Adrian, on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern and other railroads. It contains the St. Mary's Academy and the mother-house of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and has flouring- and woollen-mills, foundries, large nurseries, and manufactories of sash and blinds, paper, tile, lumber, tobacco, and wine. Pop. in 1900, 5043.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1955 - EIGHT OF RAIL CREW KILLED.
Monroe, Mich. - (UP) - Eight members of a railroad section crew were killed Friday when a New York Central passenger train demolished their work truck at a crossing seven miles north of Monroe.
Monroe County sheriff's deputies said it was possible a ninth workman died when the engine slammed broadside into the truck, which had just pulled onto the tracks.
Mutilated bodies were scattered three-fourths of a mile along the right-of-way.
Sheriff's deputies identified five of the dead as:
ROYAL GREEN, 41.
HOBERT CHURCHILL, 52.
CARL WOOLFIELD, 40.
EARL SWEAT, 31.
PAT PATTERFRITZ, all of Monroe.
The other three dead were tentatively identified as:
ROBERT CLINE.
JOSEPH ELLISON.
EUGENE DUTY, all of Monroe.
Clovis News-Journal
New Mexico
November 18, 1955

2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Monroe:
River Raisin National Battlefield Park: Start your visit with a trip to the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. This historical site commemorates the Battle of Frenchtown, a pivotal event in the War of 1812. Explore the visitor center, walk the scenic trails, and learn about the area's significance in American history.

Monroe County Historical Museum: For a deeper dive into Monroe's history, head to the Monroe County Historical Museum. Housed in a beautiful historic building, it showcases the heritage of the area with a range of artifacts and exhibits.

The Olde Town District: Take a stroll through Monroe's Olde Town District, where you'll find charming shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. It's a great place to explore on foot, grab a bite to eat, and do some shopping.

Monroe Street Downtown: Monroe Street offers a mix of quaint shops, cafes, and boutiques. It's a great place for leisurely shopping and enjoying a cup of coffee or a meal in one of the local... Read MORE...