Monroe, Michigan: Difference between revisions

| perrow caption_align = 1/3/2center

| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Michigan##Location within the United States

| pushpin_relief = yes

| image_map = City of Monroe, MI location 2020.png

| map_caption = Location within [[Monroe County, Michigan|Monroe County]] and the state of Michigan

| area_magnitudeunit_pref = Imperial

| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=20202023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer2023_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_262023_gaz_place_26.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=MayOctober 2130, 20222023}}</ref>

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States Censuscensus|2020]]

| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]s

| website = {{URL|monroemi.gov/|Official website}}

'''Monroe''' is the largest city and [[county seat]] of [[Monroe County, Michigan|Monroe County]], inUnited the U.SStates. state of [[Michigan]]. Monroe had aThe population ofwas 20,462 inas of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url= https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/monroecitymichigan/POP010220|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> The city is bordered on the south by [[Monroe Charter Township, Michigan|Monroe Charter Township]], but the two are administered autonomously. Monroe is the core city in the [[List of metropolitan statistical areas|Monroe metropolitan statistical area]], which is coterminous with Monroe County and had a population of 154,809 in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/monroecountymichigan/POP010220|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 15, 2021}}</ref> Located on the western shores of [[Lake Erie]] approximately {{convert|1420|mi|km}} northnortheast of [[Toledo, Ohio]], and {{convert|2540|mi|km}} southsouthwest of [[Detroit]], the city is officially part of the [[Metro Detroit|Detroit–Ann Arbor–Flint]] combined statistical area.

The Monroe area was the scene of several military conflicts during the [[War of 1812]] against the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] and is best rememberedknown for the [[Battle of Frenchtown]]. In 1817, portions of the [[Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan|Frenchtown]] settlement along the [[River Raisin]] were [[plat]]ted and renamed "Monroe" after then-president [[James Monroe]]. When Michigan became a state in 1837, Monroe was incorporated as a city.<ref name="Romig">{{cite book | last = Romig | first = Walter | year = 1986 | title = Michigan Place Names | publisher = [[Wayne State University Press]] | location = Detroit |page = 376 | isbn = 978-0-8143-1838-6}}</ref>

Monroe is known as the childhood residence of [[George Armstrong Custer]] and other members of his family, including his brother [[Boston Custer]] and wife [[Elizabeth Bacon Custer|Elizabeth Bacon]]. Several structures are named after Custer, including [[Custer Airport]]. The city also contains numerous other historic structures. Founded in 1928, the [[La-Z-Boy]] world headquarters are located in Monroe.

In 1784, after the [[American Revolutionary War]], Francis Navarre of Canada was given a portion of land south of the [[River Raisin]] by the Potawatomi. Colonists settled [[Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan|Frenchtown]] shortly thereafter as the third European community in what in the early 19th century became the state of Michigan. Around the same time, the [[Sandy Creek (Michigan)|Sandy Creek Settlement]] was established just north of Frenchtown by French-Canadian Joseph Porlier Benec.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.monroeinfo.com/set1_source.html |title = Monroe, Michigan historical markers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511195508/http://www.monroeinfo.com/set1_source.html |archive-date=May 11, 2008 }}</ref>

Because of its proximity to Detroit, the area was of strategic importance during the [[War of 1812]] between the United States and Great Britain, especially after [[Fort Detroit]] surrendered to the British in August 1812. American forces en route to retake Detroit had camped in the area of the River Raisin in the winter of 1812–13. A force of 200 Native Americans and 63 Canadian militia were forced to retreat north away from the River Raisin by 600 Kentucky militiamen and 100 French, under the command of [[James Winchester (general)|James Winchester]], on January 18, 1813. This skirmish was later dubbed the '"First Battle of the River Raisin'".

But, onOn January 22, 1813, a force of 800 Native Americans and 597 British, under [[Henry Procter (British Army officer)|Henry Proctor]], surprised the force of 1,000 Americans and captured Frenchtown. Many of the American militia were inexperienced, ill-trained, and badly equipped. They suffered 397 killed and 547 captured. The British and their allies had only slight losses.

This event became known throughout the United States as the "River Raisin Massacre". ThisIt was also known as the [[Battle of Frenchtown]] (or the Second Battle of the River Raisin).<ref>{{cite web|author=National Park Service|url=http://www.nps.gov/rira/historyculture/index.htm|title=History & Culture|department=River Raisin National Battlefield Park |publisher= National Park Service}}</ref> Today, the site of the battle is preserved as the [[River Raisin National Battlefield Park]], authorized in 2009.<ref name = "MonroeNews">{{cite news | author = Monroe Evening News staff | title = Battlefield Bill Signing Celebrated | url = http://www.monroenews.com/article/20090331/NEWS01/703319972/-1/NEWS | work = [[Monroe Evening News]] |date = March 31, 2009 | access-date = April 3, 2009 }}</ref> It is the first and so far the only national battlefield established for a solely War of 1812 site. It has a small visitor center.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/visitorscenter.htm |title=River Raisin Battlefield: Visitors Center |author=Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield |publisher=Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield|access-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024124526/http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/visitorscenter.htm|archive-date=October 24, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The areaFrenchtown of Frenchtowncommunity was renamed after the War of 1812 and incorporated as the village of Monroe in honor of President [[James Monroe]]., Hewho visited the [[Michigan Territory]] in 1817. In the same year, the city of Monroe was named as the [[county seat]] of the newly created [[Monroe County, Michigan|Monroe County]]. Monroe was re-incorporated as a city in 1837.<ref name="Romig"/>

Settled mostly by American migrants from New York and New England, Monroe later became associated with events in the West in the later 19th century, particularly the [[Indian Wars]]. It is known aswas the childhood home of [[George Armstrong Custer]] (1839–1876), who had a military career in which he reached the rank of [[Major general (United States)|major general]]. His family moved here when he was young, and he lived in Monroe for much of his childhood. Here he later met and in 1864 married [[Elizabeth Bacon Custer|Elizabeth Bacon]] (1842–1933), during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. In the later 19th century, he led troops in the Indian Wars and died at the [[Battle of the Little Bighorn]], in which his forces were killed by the [[Lakota people|Lakota]]., Theywho call it the Battle of the Greasy Grass.

In 1910, President [[William Howard Taft]] and the widow Elizabeth Bacon Custer unveiled an [[George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument|equestrian statue]] of Custer, which now stands at the corner of Elm Avenue and [[M-125 (Michigan highway)|Monroe Street]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Battle continues over Monroe statue of George Armstrong Custer |url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/national/two-americas/battle-continues-over-monroe-statue-of-george-armstrong-custer |access-date=2022-10-12 |work=WXYZ}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Custer |first = Elizabeth B. |date = May 15, 1910 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1910/05/15/archives/president-will-help-dedicate-the-custer-monument-nation-will-join.html |title = President Will Help Dedicate the Custer Monument: Nation Will Join with Michigan in Honors to the Great Indian Fighter Next Month |work = [[The New York Times]] |access-date = January 18, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://monroe.lib.mi.us/books_movies_music/special_collections/custer_statue_moved.htm |title = Custer's Statue |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090926023239/http://monroe.lib.mi.us/books_movies_music/special_collections/custer_statue_moved.htm |archive-date = September 26, 2009 |website = George Armstrong Custer Collection |publisher = Monroe County Library System }}</ref> Custer is also honored in street names, various [[historic marker]]s, buildings, schools, and the regional [[Custer Airport]].<ref name=cstr>{{cite web |url = https://www.michigan.gov/documents/Ttf_19117_7.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051214212723/https://www.michigan.gov/documents/Ttf_19117_7.pdf |archive-date = December 14, 2005 |title = Monroe Custer (TTF) |publisher = State of Michigan }}</ref> City limit signs for Monroe describe the city as "the home of General Custer."

The [[La-Z-Boy]] furniture company, which became known for its reclining easy chairs, was founded in Monroe in 1927.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/our_history.aspx|title=About La-Z-Boy|publisher= [[La-Z-Boy]] |access-date=March 31, 2018}}</ref> Their world headquarters are still located in Monroe, in a secluded area south of the intersection of La-Z-Boy BlvdBoulevard and Stewart Road. This new facility is roughly 1/2a ahalf mile east of the original location on [[U.S. Route 24 in Michigan|Telegraph Road]]; the old building was demolished in 2021, and the site is being redeveloped.<ref>{{cite webnews |url=https://www.constructionjournal.com/projects/details/c53d1af976a843189f589e74f5d3b866.html |websitework=Construction Journal |access-date=July 19, 2022|title=Former La-Z-Boy World Headquarters Building Demolition }}</ref>

In 1974, the [[Monroe Power Plant]] opened. It is the [[List of the largest coal-fired power stations in the United States|third largest coal -fired plant]] in the United States, with a capacity of 3,280 megawatts.<ref>{{cite web |last = Chepkemoi |first = Joyce |date = August 1, 2017 |url = https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-largest-coal-power-stations-in-the-united-states.html |title = The Largest Coal Power Stations in the United States |website = WorldAtlas.com |access-date = January 18, 2018 }}</ref> At {{convert|805 feet (245 |ft|m)}} tall, the dual [[Chimney|smokestacks]] are visible from more than {{convert|25|mi|km}} away and are among the tallest structures in the state.

In December 1989, a combination of [[Zebrazebra Musselsmussel]]s and ice clogged the sole intake pipe of the Monroe water treatment plant, forcing a two-day shutdown of the city's schools, industries, and businesses.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

AccordingMonroe tois thein [[Unitedeastern StatesMonroe Census Bureau]]County, thewith its city haslimits a total area ofextending southeast{{convert|10.183|sqmi|sqkmmi|20}}, offrom whichthe {{convert|9.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}}downtown isto land[[Lake and {{convert|1Erie]].01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (9.92%)The isaverage water.<refelevation nameof ="Gazetteerthe city is files">{{cite web convert|author = United States Census Bureau 594|author-link = United States Census Bureau ft|title m|abbr= US Gazetteer Files 2010 off|archive-url sp= https://web.archive.org/web/20130401062529/us}},<ref>http://wwwmichigan.censushometownlocator.govcom/geomi/wwwmonroe/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_nationalmonroe.txtcfm |archive-dateElevation =of April 1Monroe, 2013MI</ref> |urldecreasing = https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txtto {{convert|571|publisher ft|m|abbr= United States Census Bureau off|access-date sp= November 25, 2012 us}}</ref> Monroe sits at the lowest elevation in state of Michigan, which is the shores of [[Lake Erie]] at 571 feet (174 meters).<ref>http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015012701/http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |date=October 15, 2011 }} USGS Elevations and Distances in the United States</ref> Theat averageLake elevationErie, ofwhich thesits cityat ofthe Monroelowest iselevation 594in feet (182 meters)Michigan.<ref>http://michigan.hometownlocator.com/mi/monroe/monroe.cfm Elevation of Monroe, MI</ref> The Port of Monroe is the only Michigan port on Lake Erie,<ref>http://www.portofmonroe.com/ Port of Monroe</ref> and [[Sterling State Park]], partially within the city limits, is the only one of [[List of Michigan state parks|Michigan's 103 state parks]] located on or near Lake Erie.<ref>http://www.michigandnr.com/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=497&type=SPRK Sterling State Park</ref> The [[River Raisin]] and [[Sandy Creek (Michigan)|Sandy Creek]] travel through Monroe; they are [[Navigability|non-navigable]] because of the several dams and other obstructions.

Monroe lies in the [[humid continental climate]] zone. Monroe receives an average of {{convert|28.5&nbsp;inches (72.4&nbsp;|in|cm)}} of snow a year — the lowest average snowfall for any large city in the state. July is the warmest month with an average high temperature of {{convert|84&nbsp;|°F (29&nbsp;|°C)|abbr=on}}, and January is the coldest month with an average low temperature of {{convert|16&nbsp;|°F (−9&nbsp;|°C)|abbr=on}}. Monroe does not normally have extremely hot or cold temperatures, as its climate is moderated by the lake. On average, the temperature only drops below {{convert|0&nbsp;|°F (−18&nbsp;|°C)|abbr=on}} a couple of times during a winter season, and it is even rarer for the temperature to rise above {{convert|100&nbsp;|°F (38&nbsp;|°C)|abbr=on}} during the summer. The coldest recorded temperature was −21&nbsp;{{convert|-21|°F (−29&nbsp;|°C)|abbr=on}} on February 5, 1918. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|106&nbsp;|°F (41&nbsp;|°C)|abbr=on}} on July 24, 1934, with another equal temperature recorded on one occasion many years earlier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://climate.geo.msu.edu/Stations/5558/NARRAT.txt |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707144930/http://climate.geo.msu.edu/Stations/5558/NARRAT.txt |archive-date=July 7, 2010 }} Climate of Monroe</ref>

==EducationDemographics==

*{{jct|state=MI|I|275}} has its southern terminus just{{convert|7|mi|0}} north of Monroe. Splitting off from I-75, I-275 is a western bypass around Detroit but does not actually merge back with I-75. Aside from I-75, the highway can be accessed nearfrom Monroe by US&nbsp;24 (Telegraph Road) via exit 2.

*{{jct|state=MI|M 1948|130}} was a state highway existing from 1930 until 1955 and ran along the northern banks of the River Raisin. M-130 had its eastern terminus at US&nbsp;24 and ran for just over nine miles (14&nbsp;{{convert|9|mi|km)|spell=in}}. In 1955, control of the highway was transferred back to the county. Today, it is called North Custer Road.

*[[File:Dixie Highway marker.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] The [[Dixie Highway]] ran through Monroe in as early as 1915. It was originally one of the few ways to reach places like Florida, but the highway was largely replaced by I-75 beginning in the 1960s. Today, the namesake of the highway is used for two non-connecting highways (one being M-125), although the same route and remnants of the original highway are long gone.

*{{jct|state=MI|US 1948 |25}} was the designated name for the portion of the Dixie Highway north of [[Cincinnati]], including the portion running through Monroe. Like the Dixie Highway, US&nbsp;25 was largely replaced, and the existing highway was truncated at Cincinnati.

Present -day freight hauling railroads operating through and around Monroe are the Norfolk Southern, CSX, and the Canadian National. Historic railroads operating until the 1950s–60s1950s to 1960s were the Pere Marquette, Ann Arbor, Wabash, Grand Trunk Western, and the Detroit, Toledo, and Ironton. The Baltimore and Ohio had trackage rights with the PM and the Wabash upon which to operate its Detroit to Toledo passenger trains such as the Ambassador which after Toledo continued to Washington, D.C., and from there northward to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City.<ref>Railroad schedules of the 1950s with their included maps</ref>

{{Div col|colwidth=35em30em}}

*[[Christie Brinkley]] (b. 1954), model,; born in Monroe

*[[Robert K. Brown]] (b. 1932), combat correspondent, investigative journalist, and founder, editor, publisher of [[Soldier of Fortune (magazine)|''Soldier of Fortune'' magazine]]

*[[Ken W. Clawson]] (1936–1999), Deputydeputy Directordirector of Communicationscommunications for President [[Richard Nixon]] during the Watergate scandal

*[[Audie Cole]] (b. 1989), football player for the [[Minnesota Vikings]]

*[[Oliver H. P. Cowdery]] (1806–1850), important figure in founding of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]], lived in Monroe

*[[Boston Custer]] (1848–1876), younger brother of General George Custer, lived in Monroe, killed at the [[Battle of Little Big Horn]]

*[[Elizabeth Bacon Custer]] (1842–1933), wife of General Custer,; born in Monroe

*[[George Armstrong Custer]] (1839–1876), iconic 19th Centurycentury soldier,; lived much of his early life in Monroe

*[[Elisha Peyre Ferry]] (1825–1895), first governor of the state of Washington

*[[Ernest Ingersoll]] (1852–1946), environmentalist and writer.

*[[Mary Harris "Mother" Jones]] (1837–1930), union organizer,; lived in Monroe

*[[Ernst G. W. Keyl]] (1804–1872), Lutheran clergyman,; died in Monroe<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lutheranhistory.org/collections/fa/M-0010.htm|title=Guide to the Ernst Gerhard Wilhelm Keyl Collection|author=[[Concordia Historical Institute]] |publisher = Department of Archives and History of The Lutheran Church & Missouri Synod |access-date=July 31, 2012}}</ref>

*[[Tonya Kinzinger]], actress,; born in Monroe

*[[J. Sterling Morton]] (1832–1902), prominent conservationist,; lived in Monroe from 1834 to 1854

*[[Fannie Ellsworth Newberry]] (1848–1942), writer of girls' stories,; born in Monroe

*[[Henry Armstrong Reed]] (1858–1876), nephew of George Custer, lived in Monroe, killed at Little Big Horn

*[[George Spalding]], U.S. Congressmancongressman

*[[Matt Urban]] (1919–1995), most decorated combat soldier of WWIIWorld War II

*[https:// {{Official|www.monroemi.gov/ Monroe city website]}}

* [http://www.monroeinfomonroenews.com/ Monroe''The County TourismMonroe BureauNews'']

| East = ''[[SterlingLake State ParkErie]]''

| Southeast = ''[[Lake Erie]]'' / <br>{{flagicon|OH}} [[Put-in-Bay Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Put-in-Bay Township]]<br/>{{flagicon|OH}} [[Put-in-Bay, Ohio|Put-in-Bay]]

| South = [[Monroe Charter Township, Michigan|Monroe Township]]

| Southwest = [[MonroeSouth Charter TownshipMonroe, Michigan|South Monroe]] Charter– Township[[West Monroe, Michigan|West Monroe]]