Monroe, Washington - Snohomish County Washington, Past Achievements, Present Status, Future

Snohomish County Washington, Past Achievements, Present Status, Future

It has been frequently asserted (and the statement is probably accurate) that more natural resources are to be found within a radius of 10 miles from Monroe than can be found in any other area of equal size within the commonwealth, and it consequently follows that the growth of this community from a trading post of insignificance to a prosperous and attractive city of 2,000 people (a change effected within a dozen years) is but the commencement of further developtnent that will be continuous and logical.

Thus Monroe enjoys the advantage of two transcontinental systems and a local service that is playing a most important part in the development of adjacent territory. q

In considering the commercial activities and opportunities of Monroe, it should be remembered that they are based upon two distinct characteristics of the vicinity; first, the wonderful extent and value of its forest resources; and second, the equally wonderful fertility of the soil when its forest crop has been removed. From both points of view the location of Monroe is important - for the city is built on the banks of the agricultural activity, on a high, level site eminently adapted to manufacturing requirements - a combination of obvious value, when considered in conjunction with transportation facilities that ensure the prompt and economic handling of imports and exports.

Monroe is on the main line of the Great Northern Railroad within fifteen miles of Everett, where rail and sail first meet. It is also on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which runs twelve trains each day between Monroe and Everett and two trains each day between Monroe and Cedar Falls, at which point its main line is reached. Further than this, the Great Northern Railroad, recognizing the enormous assets and Possibilities of the Snoqualmie Valley, has built a branch line from Monroe to Tolt which runs parallel with the Milwaukee branch for a distance of twenty miles.

Skykomish, and close to the point where the Skykomish, Snoqualmie and Snohomish unite their forces, and these waters are o? enormous value not only because of their influence upon the soil of the lands through which they flow but because of the extent to which they make the adjacent forest resources easily accessible.

_ Remembering these fundamental conditions, it is not surprising to find that the largest amount of capital and the greatest number of men employed in this vicinity are engaged in the lumber business and trades allied therewith. At the present time there are seven saw and shingle mills and six logging camps within the area that is naturally tributary to Monroe. These concerns employ approximately 1,234 men and the importance of their operations is evidenced by the single statement that their pay-rolls aggregate $93,800 per month.

"PROMINENT BUILDINGS IN MONROE Administration Building of the Washington State Reformatory, the City Hall, the High School, and the Heintz Building

The opportunities for further activity along these lines are worthy of serious consideration - for the timber resources are almost incalculable in extent and the demand for Puget Sound lumber is world-wide in its scope.

Equally important are the opportunities afforded by this location for other industrial activities. There is real need here for a brick and tile factory, a broom factory, a tannery and for wood-working establishments that will convert the raw product of the locality into higher priced commodities. Moreover the proximity of Monroe to large and growing cities is a factor of great promise when the financial prospects of such undertakings are carefully reviewed.

It is, however, the success of the dairyman, the fruit grower and the general farmer that is most significant to the stutransportation facilities been brought to a point of adequate efficiency. The construction of the Milwaukee line through the Snoqualmie Valley and the building of the Great Northern branch along that portion of the valley nearest to Monroe, provide, as it were, "the missing link" and absolutely ensure the complete and profitable development of the wonderful lands they traverse.

Dairying has been followed in this locality since the days of its earliest settlement, for, as explained in the introductory chapter of this book, the soil and climate of the entire Puget Sound country are ideally suited to i rsuit. SE opportunities in this line however, have been tremendously enhanced by the erection of a magnificent condensery by the Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Co. The mere fact that this company invested $70.900.00 dent of conditions in Monroe and the vicinity. To say that the country hereabouts has been rich in agricultural achievement is to tell but half the story - for it is equally rich in agricultural possibilities and surely destined to develop rapidly in this direction. The location of Monroe at the junction of three big valleys is most important in this connection, for in their entirety these valleys comprise at least 30,000 acres and include some of the finest land in this favored section of the state.

Much of this valley land was cleared in the early days of the county's history, as its Pioneer settlers were entirely dependent upon waterways for channels of travel and naturally bent their efforts first of all to clearing the river-bottom lands. Much, however, still remains in its virgin state, because only within the last two or three years have upon the construction of this plant is a striking endorsement of the claims here made for this locality, while the wonderful success the plant has already achieved still further emphasizes the opportunities in this direction. At the present time the condensery is handling the milk from over 5000 cows and shipping its product throughout the country to the extent of approximately twenty-six carloads each month.

The Fern Bluff Creamery at Monroe is a further factor of importance to the adjacent dairying interests, in that an element of competition is thus sustained, whereby the farmer 1s assured an adequate return upon his investment of capital. and labor. This plant turns out about 2,000 pounds of butter cach week and, like the condensery, is equipped to handle a much larger output when the dairying possibilitics of the county

Monroe Residences And Agricultural Scenes P.

MONROE RESIDENCES AND AGRICULTURAL SCENES P The home of L. M. Sanders, the Great Northern berry farm, the C. F. Elwell home, and the dairy ranch of E. Milton/Stephens

But dairying is not the only direction in which the farmers' capital and time can be advantageously employed. Berry farming, fruit growing, market gardening, etc., are equally profitable and offer wonderful opportunities to the agriculturists and horticulturists who make this vicinity their home. Monroe has the largest berry farm in the state, nearly sixty acres in extent, devoted almost entirely to berry raising and shipping hundreds of cases to eastern points every day throughout the summer season. Other berry farms in the district, though smaller, are just as successful proportionately and consequently Monroe enjoys an enviable reputation as a berry growing center. Nearly all kinds of fruits do well and it is safe to predict that in years to come leaves little to be desired. It has well earned its reputation for progress and prosperity and has well been named, "a model municipality." Its streets are all well graded and many of them are permanently improved. It has an ample supply of purest water and a better lighting system than many communities of larger size. It has numerous buildings of solid construction and attractive design, among which should be especially named a magnificent Union High School, erected in 1911 at a cost of $60,000.00, and the best Town Hall in the county, in which are located the municipal offices, the fire department and a well appointed library. It has two National Banks, with deposits exceeding $320,000.00, many substantial retail stores, good hotel and restaurant accommodations, a well equipped hospital, two good newspapers, two theatres, the upland side-hills will be covered with orchards. Indeed, from every point of view, the lands in this vicinity will stand the closest investigation, while to the small farmer - the man whose capital is limited - they offer an opportunity that could hardly be excelled. By the use of careful methods, a wisely chosen tract, though small, will yield a highly satisfactory return, whether it be devoted to dairying, berry raising, fruit growing or general farming. The fertile soils, the plenitude of moisture and the equable climate may be relied upon to do their part, while a sure market is provided by the demands of adjacent cities and by the exceptional local demand arising from the fact that Monroe is the base of supply for the logging camps and mills to which reference has already been made.

and a very "live" Commercial Club. Also several industrial plants in addition to those already named, these including an ice manufacturing plant, an iron works, a steam laundry and bottling works. It is a city of churches, schools and fraternal organizations - its educational facilities commanding the unqualified approval of experts and ofa citizenship that would be satisfied with nothing but the best. Last, but not least it is a city of whole-hearted, contented indeed, enthusiastic people, who are glad that they are here and who cordially invite the co-operation of others in the logical development of their community. Further information will be cheerfully furnished by the commercial organization to which reference has already been made, and its officers may be relied upon to give the true facts without any attempt at unnecessary exaggeration.