Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Boy Scouts in Monroe County ⎯⎯⎯ The Armory Opera House
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 14, 2021
1. Boy Scouts in Monroe County Marker
Inscription.
Boy Scouts in Monroe County, also, The Armory Opera House. .
Boy Scouts in Monroe County. The Boy Scout movement in Monroe County was founded on October 16, 1911, when the first scout troop was organized at the old Monroe Armory. Twenty-five boys joined that night. The first scoutmaster was Lt. Ed Stoner of the Michigan Light Guard, succeeded by Clifton Kolb, a local attorney. More troops organized almost immediately in the city and outlying communities, such as Carleton, Erie, and Temperance. In 1929, Monroe county was one of ten areas in the Midwest chosen to field-test a new Cub Scout program. During World War II, county scouts collected more than 600 tons of scrap rubber, metal and paper for the war effort. By the end of the century, more than 50,000 boys had been Scouts.,
The Armory Opera House. In 1888 a wood structure stood here as an opera house and skating rink. The Armory Association formed in 1889 and bought the site. Begun in 1894, this red brick Richardsonian Romanesque building seating 650 persons cost $25,000 by it's dedication on July 4, 1895. The Armory had a drill hall used by local Michigan State Troops. It also had a public hall rented for lectures, balls, banquets, concerts and other gatherings. In 1917 it was sold to the Masonic Temple Association and continued to fill the social needs of Monroe until it's destruction in a spectacular blaze in 1929.
Boy Scouts in Monroe County
The Boy Scout movement in Monroe County was founded on October 16, 1911, when the first scout troop was organized at the old Monroe Armory. Twenty-five boys joined that night. The first scoutmaster was Lt. Ed Stoner of the Michigan Light Guard, succeeded by Clifton Kolb, a local attorney. More troops organized almost immediately in the city and outlying communities, such as Carleton, Erie, and Temperance.
In 1929, Monroe county was one of ten areas in the Midwest chosen to field-test a new Cub Scout program. During World War II, county scouts collected more than 600 tons of scrap rubber, metal and paper for the war effort. By the end of the century, more than 50,000 boys had been Scouts.
The Armory Opera House
In 1888 a wood structure stood here as an opera house and skating rink. The Armory Association formed in 1889 and bought the site. Begun in 1894, this red brick Richardsonian Romanesque building seating 650 persons cost $25,000 by it's dedication on July 4, 1895.
The Armory had a drill hall used by local Michigan State Troops. It also had a public hall rented for lectures, balls,
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banquets, concerts and other gatherings. In 1917 it was sold to the Masonic Temple Association and continued to fill the social needs of Monroe until it's destruction in a spectacular blaze in 1929.
Erected by Monroe County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical date for this entry is October 16, 1911.
Location. 41° 54.846′ N, 83° 23.871′ W. Marker is in Monroe, Michigan, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and East 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north on Washington Street. Located in front of Monroe Outreach Assembly of God Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 Washington St, Monroe MI 48161, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
3. Boy Scouts in Monroe County / The Armory Opera House Marker
Looking toward Loranger Square
Photographed by Craig Doda, May 21, 2022
4. Boy Scouts in Monroe County / The Armory Opera House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 389 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on May 23, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
