Monroe, Washington - History

History

It would be hard to find a prettier, thriftier and more prosperous appearing community than the City of Monroe. Everything about it speaks of enterprise and good citizenship. Its location on a level plateau on the banks of the Skvkomish River, in the midst of a fertile valley with the peaks of the Cascade Mountains forming a picturesque background, is tdeal not only. as to natural and scenic beauty but as to those trade and business advantages which bespeak a permanent and increasing prosperity. The streets are wide and well paved, the business section is well built, the homes show the care of a home loving people who take pride in their surroundings and who believe in making their home town the best possible place in which to live.

While Monroe proper is one of the cities which sprang up with the coming of the railroad, as a community it is almost as old as the county, for in this case it was the people who brought the town, not the town which brought the people. In other chapters of this work much has been told of the early settlers of the country "above the forks" where the Skykomish and the Snoqualmie rivers unite to form the broad Snohomish. These people were far enough from Snohomish City so that there grew among them a community spirit and a social life distinct and apart. Qualco was the old Indian name, but it was too difficult for the American tongue and it soon became corrupted to Tualco, which is now the name of the precinct adjoining Monroe. Harriman, Woods, Cochran, Pattison, McClurg, Johnson, Fitzmaurice, Smallman, Austin, Taylor, Foye, Spurrell, Phelps, Detering, Tester; these are the names of some of the prominent pioneer families, no less than three of these being included in the census of 1862. The Tualco school district was No. 7 and was preceded only by those at Snohomish, Park Place, Florence, Stanwood, Lowell and Mukilteo. As a voting precinct, Tualco was established in 1865; one of the first four precincts in the county. The men from this community furnished many of the county officers and the legislators of the pioneer days. It was an intelligent, wide-awake, enterprising community. At the early schoolhouse and at "Blarney Castle," as the old Fitzmaurice home was called, there centered groups of well-informed men and women whose horizons were not bounded by the encircling forests. As early as 1886 it was reported that Rev. H. B. Potter was promoting a saw and grist mill to utilize the fine water power of Woods Creek and that much stock had been subscribed. There was an active literary society, much earlier than in 1886, and an example of its neighborly feeling is given by the resolutions which it passed at the time of the death of Isaac Peer, who was drowned at Fiddler's Bluff, December 19, 1885, his body being found by Leila Hilton while on her way to school. Snohomish had its famous Wranglers Club, but it met its match when it entered into joint debate with the farmers of Tualco, in 1887, the question being as to the prohibition of immigration; the Tualco literary society getting the decision. There was also a temperance society with one hundred members, formed this same year, Lizzie Fitzmaurice being captain of "Company A" and Ella Foye of "Company B."

Park Place

As early as 1878 Salem Woods attempted to start a town, but the people were farmers and loggers and Snohomish seemed a near enough trading point for the sparsely settled community. The Northern Star in its issue of October 27, 1877, said: "A man is thinking of starting a store at Park Place, on the Snohomish River. It is in a splendid farming community, with two good roads to Snohomish City and navigation to it by light boats." Again, in August, 1882, the Eye mentions the farms enroute to Park Place, naming those of J. H. Plaskett, Hiram Thomas, McNaught and Blanchard, Mrs. Mary Evans, Jacob Boyer, E. Hoem, H. Frederickson, J. A. C. Cedargren, William Hawkins and G. T. Sorenson. It speaks of Park Place as being located four miles from the mouth of the Skykomish and seven miles from Snohomish City and mentions the nearby places as being those of "Taylor, Pierce, McDougal & McClurg, and the widow of George Allen, who owns a fine prairie.' The Eye adds: "Pattison Ferry connects with Qualco forks." In 1883 the Eye again speaks of Park Place as follows: "Park Place, though the name might indicate it, is not a great town but rather a X roads. Here, not long ago, was the post office kept by H. Mc- Clurg. Schoolhouse No. 2 is located at Park Place and the settlement has a townlike appearance. Pattison began the construction of his ferry about two years ago and it was first operated July 4, 1882." This early post office and the tavern which went with it were abandoned for a time and in 1886 it was announced that "William Lowden will reopen the hotel at Park Place." In October, 1889, John Fleming made the glad announcement that Park Place was soon to have a new post office and a fine new store, and this was soon followed by the opening of the store by J. A. Vanasdlen, "the father of Monroe." He told that when he came to Park Place, in 1889, he found "an old saloon and two small buildings." The Vanasdlen store was quite pretentious, and he soon obtained the post office, holding the office of postmaster for seven years. The little town which Vanasdlen thus revived seemed destined for a time to become a flourishing village. Ladd & Elliott built a large hotel and saloon building soon after the store opened and, in 1890, George Beaton established the first blacksmith shop. In 1891 there came added improvements; a small grocery store by J. W. Halbert, a meat market by Shannahan & Chitwood, a second hotel by John Johnson and a public hall which was the pride of the entire settlement. This was in some respects the most social and literary community in the county. In 1891 a lodge of the I. O. G. T. was formed, with seventeen members and with William Detering as worthy commander. The debating club was active and the Fourth of July celebrations at Tualco were among the best in the county. At the celebration for 1891 Henry Detering read the Declaration, Judge L. F. Hart of Snohomish was the orator and there was a grand parade by the Farmers Alliance and the schools, with Mrs. Fitzmaurice gracing the float as "The State of Washington" and Anna Dunstan as the 'Goddess of Liberty." The celebration for 1892 was still more pretentious, with an excursion by steamer from Snohomish, a "Plug Ugly" parade and an oration by W. R. Andrews. It was in 1891 that Mrs. G. W. Austin and Mrs. Dora Maddox, her guest from Colorado, made a pleasure trip on mule back to the Sultan neighborhood, being among the first white women to venture on such a "pleasure exertion."

But the building of the Great Northern Railroad spelled the death of Park Place as a business center, though it is still a very pleasant residence district. The railroad located its depot a mile away, and Park Place business men faced the alternative of moving or seeing someone else take up the choice locations near the railroad.

The first town plat of Monroe was filed February 5, 1891, and was dedicated by Henry and Martha F. McClurg, and includes what is now a portion of the main business section, but although filed early there were few if any sales and there was no movement to build a city until the plat of Tye City was filed, March 22, 1892, by John F. Stretch and J. A. Vanasdlen. This was on the original Stretch homestead; the right of way of the Great Northern cutting diagonally through it. The new town was named Tye City in honor of the locating engineer of the Great Northern. Another complication arose because the railroad company had named the station Wales, but through the influence of Mr. Stretch this was changed in March, 1893, to conform to the name first given to the community by Henry McClurg. The plat of Tye City occupied what is now the northeast part of Monroe and a large part of it has been vacated. The next move was a real one for it meant that the Vanasdlen store at Park Place was put on rollers and literally moved to Tye City. A tent saloon was the only business house on the townsite at the time. Elliott Bros.' saloon soon followed the Vanasdlen store, and John Brady bought the pioneer blacksmith shop of George Beaton and joined the exodus. Another blow to Park Place - the Odd Fellows bought the community hall and moved it to the new town, and finally the Johnson Hotel was also brought to the new location. This removal of buildings from Park Place continued from time to time for the next ten years. The Williams store was the second in Monroe. In the meantime Stretch and Vanasdlen were not to have it all their own way. The whole county was aflame with real estate speculation. The wonderful growth of Everett made people believe that anything was possible and that the way to get rich quick was to plat a town.

Less than a month after the Tye City plat was filed, Frank P. Friday filed a second plat, as a part of Monroe. This fronted on the river bank and has since been vacated. Tye City held the business for some time and by May, 1892, a road was graded and the planking contract let, the Dubuque mill to furnish 200,- OOO feet of plank. These were boom days for the new town and the next, and biggest, enterprise was launched by Everett and Tacoma capitalists who bought 400 acres of land and filed a plat December 1, 1892. While a portion of this plat has since been vacated it includes what is now the major, part of the city. Charles Harriman platted and filed additions in 1895 and in 1899 and since that time no less than eight additions have been platted, showing that the growth of the city has been continuous. This major plat of Monroe was the enterprise of the Monroe Land & Improvement Company of which E. L. Sawyer was president and J. C. Brockensbrough secretary. This concern had sufficient capital behind it to proceed with the work of clearing and grading and inducing new enterprises, and it finally became apparent that Tye City was not to be the favored location. With admirable adaptability, Mr. Vanasdien again moved the store and post office to the location on Main Street where it stands in 1926. Monroe suffered in common with the rest of America during the panic days of the nineties and its growth was greatly retarded, but there was steady improvement as the countryside developed and new lumber operations were opened. Among the notes of interest is one to the effect that "John Stretch is moving into his new eating house." This was in April, 1893. In June, 1894, the hotel which had been erected by the Monroe Land & Improvement Company was destroyed by fire but it was quickly rebuilt. E. L. Sawyer, president of the land company, took a personal interest in Monroe and in February, 1894, began the erection of a fine residence, moving to Monroe from Tacoma. The progress of the town is indicated by the fact that it was made a postal money order office in April, 1896. The Monitor, Monroe's first newspaper, was established January 14, 1898, by Maj. B. F. Smith, and now, after twenty-eight years, it is one of the oldest newspapers in the county.

Big Fire Of 1900

In 1900 Monroe was visited by its "big fire,' an event which seems inevitable in the history of almost every town and which often leads to the permanent progress of the city. The fire originated in the Odd Fellows Hall and swept through an-entire block of the business district, inflicting losses amounting to nearly $30,000. Better and more substantial buildings took the place of those consumed by flame. This fire, perhaps, led to the formation of the first waterworks company. This was a private institution known as the Spring Water Company and was granted a franchise by the county commissioners, with right of way through all streets of Monroe and Tye City, on June 15, 1901.

Incorporation

The next step in the progress of Monroe was its incorporation in 1902, when its population was but 325. N. P. Heintz was the first mayor of the city and R. J. Stretch its first clerk, while members of the council, which held its first © meeting at Odd Fellows Hall, January 13, 1903, were Peter Suhl, John Brady, John Williams, H. E. Pearsoll and F. Buck. E. W. Husted was the first city attorney. Odd Fellows Hall continued to be the seat of government until the city hall was erected in 1908. This building now houses the fire department, the clerk's office and the city library. The fire department is one in which the city takes great pride. It was organized in 1904 and its by-laws were adopted March 22, 1905. The fire chiefs have been Fred Frohning, N. T. Bradley and A. B. Sprau, the present chief, who is assisted by L. M. Main. The volunteer company numbers twenty-two men and is equipped with a fine auto truck with 1,000 feet of hose, with chemical engine and pump. This truck cost $4,500 and is of the finest and most modern type. The fire fighters were called to the neighboring town of Duvall in February, 1926, and not only made record time but rendered very valuable assistance. Called at 1 o'clock in the morning the Monroe firemen were in Duvall, twelve miles distant, in forty-five minutes.

Incorporation proved a fortunate thing for Monroe for its affairs were wisely. managed and its population increased rapidly so that by 1906 the 325 people which it numbered in 1902 had grown to more than one thousand. The chief industries twenty years ago were the Stephens Brothers mill, Monroe Mill Company, the August Holmquist, W. E. Stocker and John Johnson shingle mills, the Weinstein. & Company's and the Monroe creameries, and the great berry farm for which the city is still famous. Nearly every branch of business was represented and the town rejoiced in a strong banking institution, the Monroe State Bank, of which EK. M. Stephens was president and C. M. Lawry cashier. A second newspaper, The Washington Transcript, edited by G. W. Head, had also made its appearance. The mayor at this time (1906) was W. J. Williams, and L. C. Whitney was the city clerk. The medical profession was represented by Drs. Harry K. Lum and L. L. Stephens, while E. T. Bascom had already made his appearance as an attorney. There was, however, but one church, the Methodist Episcopal, of which Rev. W. J. Rule was pastor. The Stephens hospital was also a feature of the town. Both J. A. Vanasdlen and John T. Stretch have been gathered to their fathers since those early days when they founded the new community, but the business institutions which they founded survive them and their names are remembered and honored. The city which they helped to build has grown to number 2,000 and the thickly settled valley brings the total within the postal radius to nearly 4,000 souls.

The Monroe of today forms a great contrast to the Monroe of twenty years ago. There are now twenty-six blocks of paved streets; the gravity water system, owned by the city and drawing its supply from the Sykes Springs, some eight miles distant, represents a value of more than $100,000 and furnishes ample fire protection as well as the purest of aqua pura and there is an excellent sewer system. Light and power are furnished by the Puget Sound Light and Power Company. Under the superintendency of Prof. E. G. Rhodes the city schools are functioning to the satisfaction of all. Instruction is given in three grade schools and the Union High School, which includes a wide territory and is thus able to afford the best, both as to equipment and as to the teaching corps. One of the institutions of which the town is justly proud is the Legion Hall. This fine structure was made possible through the efforts of Arthur Kincaid Post No. 58 and the generosity of the loyal citizens. Lots for the site were purchased in

1922, $5,600 was raised by subscription and the brick building, which cost, $9,600 will soon be clear of indebtedness. The Legion is one of the live institutions of the city. It was named for Arthur Kincaid, one of Monroe's heroes who was killed in battle, and one of the seven Monroe boys who lost their lives during the war. The first commander of the post was Reverend Huff of the Congregational Church, and the present commander is Harry Bennett. The post has seventy members and is very proud of its hall which contains a large auditorium and dance hall, rest rooms, parlors, banquet room and well equipped kitchen. This hall is to be turned over to the city, as municipal property as soon as the indebtedness is paid. The Ladies Auxiliary, of which Mrs. A. B. Sprau is president, is doing splendid work in helping the Legion to attain this goal. The I. O. O. F. Hall and the new Grange Hall are other places of public assemblage which are credits to the city.

The public library is another notable institution. As usual, it owes its origin to the good women of the city. Mrs. Georgia Saunders was the first librarian, when it was opened March 5, 1914, and Maud Gray Clark was the first president of the library association which made it possible. Book showers, socials, teas and entertainments of different kinds were given by these enthusiastic women, among whom may be named Mrs. Mary J. Bascom, the first secretary, and the present officers, Mrs. Florence York Cooley, president, and Mrs. E. H. Streisguth, secretary, Mrs. Clark and Mrs. J. J. Reardon, trustees. Mrs. Alice Beckman is the librarian and the library is housed in the city hall and supported by a city tax.

Business And Industry

On the low hills overlooking the town is situated the state reformatory, the location having been chosen because of the richness of the soil for the farming operations carried on, and for the well known healthfulness of the valley. This institution employs a number of people and thus adds to the population and to the business of the town. There are three good hotels, and the Monroe General Hospital is an exceptional institution for a city the size of Monroe. One unacquainted with the wealth of Monroe's trade territory would be surprised at the large stocks carried by its merchants and the fine, large, well equipped stores. A milk condensery plant belonging to the Carnation Milk Products Company affords the dairymen a fine market and employs much labor. Monroe is also the home of two of the largest berry farms in the Northwest, one owned by Stuart and Howard and the other, of eighty acres, operated as the Great Northern Berry Farm. The large head lettuce farm operated by J. G. Robinson, began in 1925, but is already shipping its product in carload lots and is proving a wonderful success, thus opening up a new industry for the valley.

The city administration is in charge of E. T. Bascom, as mayor; FE. E. Purdy, clerk, and Mrs. E. C. Newell, treasurer. Under the editorial management of J. J. Reardon the Monitor has the newspaper field for its own and fills that field to the satisfaction of all, and has gained much more than a county-wide reputation for its excellence. The post office is in the very efficient charge of A. Bailey, and is an office of the second class, employing a force of six people and serving a population of more than 5,000 in the city and on the two rural routes. A. J. Vanasdlen, the pioneer postmaster, was succeeded in 1897 by J. E. Dolloff, who was succeeded by Robert H. Stapleton, who held the office for twelve years.

Miss May Fleming was the appointee of President Woodrow Wilson and upon her resignation Miss Margaret Fleming was acting postmaster until the appointment of Mr. Bailey in 1918. A new and unique industry for Monroe is the greenhouse and nursery which the Great Northern Railway has installed. This has an interesting history. George W. Dishmaker in the local employ of the Great Northern, made the depot grounds of Monroe so beautiful and attractive that they attracted the attention of the highest officials and he was made Superintendent of Parks for the entire system. Knowing the advantages of soil and climate offered by Monroe, and loyal to the city, Mr. Dishmaker has located here the plant which will supply shrubbery for parks all along the line of the Great Northern and which will supply all the flowers used on the dining cars of the system. This not only gives employment, but is a splendid bit of publicity for Monroe and for Snohomish County. Harry M. Saunders is foreman of this institution.

Christian influences are exerted through the Congregational, Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Mennonite, Nazarene and Swedish Evangelical churches. The Congregational Church is notable for its fine parish house, which serves as a community hall.

The agricultural and industrial interests which combine to make Monroe a good business center are so diversified, the soil of the surrounding country is so rich and fertile, the transportation facilities afforded by the paved highways to Everett and Seattle and the Great Northern and Milwaukee railroads are so good, the climate is so mild and even, the attractions of lakes and mountains and sea are so near at hand that it would be difficult to foresee any circumstance which would prevent the city from prospering and gaining each year in population. and wealth.