German pioneers who began settling this area in 1828 formed Monroe County's first Lutheran church here in 1834. The Rev. Friedrich Schmid became their first pastor, traveling by horseback from Ann Arbor. The growing congregation incorporated as . . . — — Map (db m121795) HM
The 81mm mortar was a crew served, air cooled,
ground forces weapon used primarily in static
positions throughout South Vietnam. It weighs
115 pounds, is capable of firing 35 rounds for
the first minute and 18 rpm after that. It was
fired by . . . — — Map (db m165504) HM
Born in New Rumley, Ohio, George A. Custer grew up in Monroe in the home of his half-sister, Mrs. David Reed. February 9, 1864, in the Presbyterian Church here, he married Libbie Bacon, only daughter of Judge Daniel S. Bacon.
During the Civil . . . — — Map (db m20935) HM
Employees Now Linked in Service Together
Monroe Bank & Trust has provided service
to our communities since 1858.
These efforts were formalized in 1984 into
one comprehensive program: ENLIST.
MBT is proud to dedicate this commemorative . . . — — Map (db m201660) HM
McDowell Papermill
In 1838 Christopher McDowell built the first
newsprint mill in the Midwest on the south side
of the River Raisin, about 100 yards upriver. The
quality rag paper produced here was used by many
early newspapers in the . . . — — Map (db m215927) HM
Melvin C. Dye, born May 22, 1947, a resident of Carleton,
Michigan, served his country during the Vietnam War as an
engineer with the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation
Battalion of the United States Army. February
19, 1968, the . . . — — Map (db m236280) HM WM
Here were buried unidentified remains of victims of the River Raisin Massacre of 1813.
In 1872 surviving veterans of that war gathered in Monroe from Ohio and Kentucky. They headed a colorful civic pageant which halted solemnly at this spot . . . — — Map (db m237960) HM
Michigan: Historic Crossroads
Because of its location in the heart of the upper Great Lakes, Michigan has been a historic crossroads. Its waterways and trails were favorite routes of Indians many centuries ago. French explorers first entered . . . — — Map (db m100856) HM
This Monument is dedicated to the
Memory of the heroes who
Lost their lives in our country's defense,
in the
Battle and Massacre of the River Raisin,
January 22nd, and 23rd, 1813. — — Map (db m20937) HM
Presettlement Times
The area of Michigan known as Monroe was one of our state's earliest settled regions. Its location at the mouth of the River Raisin was strategic to both Native Americans and to the first Europeans who . . . — — Map (db m201328) HM
This plaque is issued by the Historical Society of Michigan
in recognition of Monroe Bank and Trust
founded in 1858
for more than 100 years of continuous operation in service
to the people of Michigan and for contributing to the
. . . — — Map (db m127987) HM
Monroe County and the Civil War
During the Civil War years of 1861-1865, Monroe County had approximately 3,000 county residents out of a total population of 21,593 who fought in that conflict and at least 410 of them died while serving in . . . — — Map (db m170068) HM
In memory of
Monroe County's
Civil War Fallen
1861-1865
Monroe County Civil War
Medal of Honor recipients
Frederick Ballen Henry Peters
James Christiancy Julius Rhodes
Thomas Custer Charles Sancrainte
Daniel McFall Peter . . . — — Map (db m170072) WM
In memory of Monroe County's Civil War Fallen 1861-1865
Monroe County Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients
Frederic Ballen
James Christiancy
Thomas Custer
Daniel McFall
Henry Peters
Julius Rhodes
Charles Sancrainte . . . — — Map (db m201530) WM
In memory of all Korean War Veterans
They told us, "We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it. So we fought in the mountains on Heartbreak Ridge and waded ashore at Inchon.
We froze in the winter and baked in the summer . . . — — Map (db m201666) WM
In memory of
Persian Gulf War Veterans
"There is no one more devoted, more committed to the hard work of freedom, than every soldier
and sailor, every Marine, airman and Coast Guardsman - every man and woman now serving in the
Persian Gulf." . . . — — Map (db m201681) WM
Monroe County was established in July, 1817, as one of the first steps in the organization of Michigan Territory after the War of 1812.
Then the old settlement of Frenchtown which centered upon this square took the name of Monroe and became the . . . — — Map (db m27634) HM
Dedication
This memorial is dedicated in the names of
those Monroe County
residents who gave
their lives, who are missing in action or who
served in the republic
of Vietnam during the
Vietnam War. We will
never allow ourselves
to . . . — — Map (db m165499) WM
"War On Terror"
Monroe County's
Fallen Heroes
Lest They Be Forgotten
Marine Pfc. Juan Garza
1983 - 2003
Army Pfc. Dennis J. Miller Jr.
1983 - 2004
Army Capt. Lowell T Miller II
1970 - 2005
Marine Cpl. Gary Koehler
1985 - 2006 . . . — — Map (db m201680) WM
April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918
Honor - Faith - Valor
Lest we forget
our departed comrades of World War
they gave their lives for you
treat your freedom well
way their sacrifices never before gotten
each torch shown memorial earned . . . — — Map (db m201676) WM
December 7, 1941 - September 2, 1945
Honor - Faith - Valor
Lest we forget
Our departed comrades of World War II
For their and their loved ones sacrifices
rest in God's peace whenever you sleep
honor is theirs who knew the path of honor . . . — — Map (db m201677) WM
Monroe Piers - Southeast Michigan's Resort
One of the most colorful periods of Monroe history is that of the Monroe Piers. With the completion of the canal, piers and lighthouse, the people of Monroe had access to the lakeshore . . . — — Map (db m201015) HM
With the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, Monroe's LaPlaisance Harbor became the gateway to the West. A stream of settlers from Europe and the East crossed Lake Erie in sailing vessels and later in steamships, all seeking new homes in Michigan . . . — — Map (db m202247) HM
A covered toll bridge first spanned this section of the River Raisin in 1819. Destroyed by high water and ice in 1832, the bridge was replaced with a conventional wooden span, which lasted 30 years before being replaced in the late 1860s.
. . . — — Map (db m72705) HM
Local historians credit Monroe County with the largest proportionate enrollment of volunteers in the Civil War of any county in the United States.
Military enrollments have been proportionately large in Monroe County in every war, due no . . . — — Map (db m127985) HM
Captain Nathaniel G. T. Hart, brother-in-law of Henry Clay and inspector general of American Army of the Northwest under Harrison, was killed here during the massacre of the River Raisin January 22 - 23, 1813.
Captain Hart, wounded in battle, . . . — — Map (db m236278) HM
You are approaching the oldest surviving wooden structure in Michigan. Built in 1789, it was moved from its original Monroe site in 1894. In 1969 its history was discovered. We are exceptionally grateful to the following major contributors for . . . — — Map (db m27317) HM
Norman Jonathan Hall was born March 4, 1837 in Geneva, New York. His family moved to Monroe County when Norman was 12 years old and settled on a 333 acre farm along the River Raisin in east Raisinville. He was appointed to West Point in July 1854, . . . — — Map (db m201536) HM
Although earlier cemeteries which have since disappeared existed at Monroe and Front Streets and Monroe at 6th Street, this sacred ground is the successor to the first parish cemetery established in 1794 and abandoned in 1830. That first cemetery . . . — — Map (db m169753) HM
One of the pioneer rail lines of the west, the Michigan Southern transported during a colorful but brief period a vast army of settlers who crossed Lake Erie by boat. Trains waited at the piers to carry the travelers and their possessions west to . . . — — Map (db m127986) HM
Public whipping for minor crime was a custom brought from New England by Monroe's earliest American settler's. Not general in the midwest, the punishment was administered here chiefly to ne'er-do-wells whom the citizens wished to be rid of. . . . — — Map (db m27726) HM
In 1856 German immigrant Peter Seitz built this house as a residence and stagecoach inn on North Custer plank toll road. Early stagecoaches were pulled by teams of up to four horses. The plank roads were constructed of wooden boards to aid travel . . . — — Map (db m170286) HM
The port of Monroe two miles east of here is one of the oldest on the Great Lakes.
Only port in Michigan on Lake Erie, and located strategically on its most westerly shore, it was a major point of entry for Michigan settlement and for passage of . . . — — Map (db m171059) HM
The chainsaw carved eagle above, carved
by Vietnam veteran, Ken Schalau, was
originally placed here in September 1997
the six foot wing spanned eagle,
restrained by a chain, represents all
POW/MIA's and their families who, even
today, continue . . . — — Map (db m165503) HM
Welcome to the Gabriel Godfroy Sr. and Jean-Baptiste Beaugrand Trading Post along the River Raisin. The Godfroy/Beaugrand trading post,
located in the second largest French settlement within the Michigan Territory was busy all year round. Many . . . — — Map (db m165549) HM
Hubert Lacroix and his wife Archange Jerome were married in October of 1810. Lacroix owned seven ribbon farms west of the main settlement on both sides of the
river. Hubert was elected Captain of the River Raisin Militia and placed in charge of a . . . — — Map (db m165477) HM
Jean-Baptiste Jerome (Gerome) and his wife Marie Michelle Deliel dite Bιlanger were busy with the fall harvest in 1812.
While the men cut the wheat by hand and tied it into large French sheaves, the women took over the other farm chores. The
wheat . . . — — Map (db m165481) HM
George McDougal, a wealthy and prominent cousin of Col Franηois Navarre, owned the property occupied by 25-year-old Pierre Jacob
and his mother Magdelaine Godet-Jacob-Leblanc. Unaware of the imminent declaration of war, Magdelaine peacefully stood . . . — — Map (db m165478) HM
Friends and family arrived at the farmstead of Jean (John) Baptiste Couture and his wife Catherine on the cold New Year's Eve of 1812. Guests brought baskets of food and jugs of spirits to celebrate La Saint-Sylvester or Saints Feast Day, ushering . . . — — Map (db m161544) HM
Navarre-Anderson Trading Post
The trading post is listed on the
National Register of Historic
Places as the oldest standing
residential wood structure and
is one of the very few remaining
examples of French colonial log
construction in . . . — — Map (db m201603) HM
WHERE the River Raisin winds through the city of Monroe, it once
flowed over six low head dams (2.5'-3') constructed by the Works
Progress Administration in the 1930s. A habitat restoration project
some 80 years later re-established fish passage . . . — — Map (db m165479) HM
The River Raisin has had a long, rich cultural history. It was known as Nummasepee (River of Sturgeon) by the Native American tribes that first populated the area and used the river for hunting, fishing and transportation. Later, the abundance of . . . — — Map (db m200883) HM
Where the River Raisin winds through the city of Monroe, it once flowed over six low head dams (2.5'-3' high) constructed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. A habitat restoration project some 80 years later re-established fish . . . — — Map (db m200969) HM
The River Raisin watershed covers Southeastern Michigan and part
of Northwest Ohio, an area comparable in size to Rhode Island.
Running primarily through the farmlands of Monroe, Washtenaw,
Lenawee, Jackson and Hillsdale counties, the 135-mile . . . — — Map (db m201607) HM
In the temporary absence of Tecumseh, the Native-American allies of the British were led by Wyandot Chiefs Roundhead and Walk-in-the-Water. Besides the Wyandots, Native forces included warriors from the Shawnee, Potawatomi, Ottawa, Chippewa, . . . — — Map (db m21567) HM
Joseph Porlier Benac, Sandy Creek's first settler, was granted a tract of land here by the Potawatomi Indians Aug. 3, 1780. By the time of the War of 1812, sixteen homes lined the banks of the creek.
Retreating Indians swept through the . . . — — Map (db m27245) HM
[Marker Front]
Site of Battles of Jan. 18 - 22
Gen. Winchester in Command,
and River Raisin Massacre
Jan. 23, 1813
[Marker Reverse]
800 Americans under Cols.
Allen, Lewis and Wells
Fought desperately against . . . — — Map (db m20041) HM
In this vicinity and parallel to the driveway, a line of scattered human remains were detected in 2000, which may mark the main skirmish line of the 17th U.S. Infantry. The bodies of those killed lay exposed to the elements for some time after the . . . — — Map (db m20916) HM
The oldest public park in Monroe County, Soldiers and Sailors Park was created in 1909 when the half mile long riverfront parcel was purchased by the City of Monroe from the Ilgenfritz family for $700. This came about directly through the efforts of . . . — — Map (db m170067) HM
St. Antoine, Riviere Aux Raisins
On October 15, 1788 a letter was sent to the Bishop of Quebec by local Catholic French-Canadians asking to establish a parish at la riviere aux raisins (river of grapes). Louis Mommini, father and son, sold . . . — — Map (db m207739) HM
The Reverend Camillus P. Maes organized St. John in 1872 to serve the area's Irish population, which had struggled to form an English-speaking parish over a forty year period. In January 1892 fire destroyed the interior of the first church, erected . . . — — Map (db m169696) HM
This church is the immediate successor to the first church of Monroe County, St Antoine aux Riviere Raisin (October 15, 1788), which was located two miles upriver.
Construction of this church was begun in 1834. It was consecrated in 1839. The . . . — — Map (db m236273) HM
Circuit-riding ministers from Ohio braved swamps, snakes and mosquitos to serve Monroe Methodists as early as 1804. Though these families fled Monroe during the War of 1812, they returned in strength. Their Wesleyan Chapel just south of this church . . . — — Map (db m169757) HM
The Great Indian Chief Tecumseh headquartered near here for over a month after the unsuccessful British And Indian siege of Fort Meigs in Ohio, July 1813. The British strategy was to use the Indians at the River Raisin to slow down any American . . . — — Map (db m20914) HM
The "Huey helicopter was the workhorse of the
Vietnam War. Not only did it ferry troops and cargo,
but it was responsible for critical combat extraction
as well as life-saving medivac. This particular machine,
a UH-1M model, served three tours . . . — — Map (db m165497) HM
The opening months of the War of 1812 were disastrous for the isolated
American outposts in the west. Fort Mackinac, on Mackinac Island, had
fallen in the first action of the war. The inhabitants and garrison of Fort
Dearborn, at what is now . . . — — Map (db m165531) HM
January 19-21,1813
1 Winchester hears of the victory early in the morning of
the 19th. He orders Col. Samuel Wells to lead 312 men
to the River Raisin.
2 Winchester, traveling by sleigh, arrives at Frenchtown
at 2:00 AM on the 20th. He . . . — — Map (db m165532) HM
January 22,1813
1 Mounted Indians from the British right wing take the
rear of the retreating Americans and set an ambush at
Plum Creek.
2 Flanked by mounted Indians, the scattered groups are
slaughtered, one by one. Of the nearly 400 . . . — — Map (db m165540) HM
Protected only by a picket fence, nearly 500 Kentucky militiamen fought off three British charges on their camp along the river and silenced the British cannon with their long rifles in the second Battle of the River Raisin, Jan. 22, 1813.
They . . . — — Map (db m27243) HM
Michigan Bicentennial County
This plaque is issued by the
Historical Society of Michigan
in recognition of The County of Monroe
Founded in 1817
For more than 200 years of
continuous operation in service
to the people of Michigan
and . . . — — Map (db m201658) HM
This 116 acre "French ribbon farm", purchased by General George Armstrong Custer, his brother, Nevin, and their wives August 22, 1871, ran northerly from the River Raisin. Nevin Custer farmed it until his death. The present Custer Airport, created . . . — — Map (db m22741) HM
In 1789, Heutrau Navarre, son of Detroit's Royal Notary, built this house, Michigan's oldest residence. Constructed of joined timbers, it is considered the best example of French colonial architecture in the state. Originally Navarre used it as a . . . — — Map (db m27316) HM
There were almost ten thousand enlisted women and women officers
from all military branches who served in Vietnam, they served in
many support staff assignments, hospitals, crewed on medical
evacuation flights, mash units, hospital ships, . . . — — Map (db m165510) WM
Thomas Ward Custer was born on March 15, 1845 in New Rumley, Ohio.
He enlisted in the union army at age 16. He was the first person in
American history to receive the Medal of Honor twice and was the only
person to receive both decorations for . . . — — Map (db m201531) HM
The Reverend James O'Brien became Monroe's first Episcopal rector in late 1831. Early the next year he and his small congregation began building Trinity Church on what is now Loranger Square. Funds came from Ohio, Pennsylvanian and New York, as . . . — — Map (db m169697) HM
In 1828, German Lutheran families from Baden and Bavaria settled in and around Monroe. Served first by horseback-traveling Pastor Friedrich Schmid, these Lutherans organized a congregation known as Zoar, and several churches, including Trinity, . . . — — Map (db m169761) HM
Elements of the U.S. 17th Infantry were camped in an open field just north of here when the British and Indians launched their surprise counterattack at dawn, January 22, 1813. The Americans held their ground here for 20 minutes before the Canadian . . . — — Map (db m20904) HM
Participants Deaths in Service Years
American Revolution 290,000 - 4,435 - 1775-1784
War of 1812 267,000 - 2,260 - 1812-1850
Mexican War 70,000 - 13,271 - 1840-1848
Civil War Union 2,213,000 - 364,511 - . . . — — Map (db m200560) WM
A branch of the University of Michigan opened on this site, February 19, 1838. Later that year a female branch was authorized. Of 37 young women and 33 young men then enrolled, many were from prominent Monroe families. Others came from as far west . . . — — Map (db m171070) HM
"Every light a prayer for peace"
Dedicated December 12, 1952
as a living memorial to those who
have served in the armed forces. — — Map (db m201656) WM
The sidewalk between the UH-1 Huey
and Cobra helicopters is dedicated
to the courageous pilots, copilots
and crewmen of those aircraft.
Thousands of medivacs performed
under extremely dangerous combat
conditions and the exceptional
firepower . . . — — Map (db m165496) WM
Dams installed in the River Raisin in the 1930s have rendered
access to natural habitats for spawning and rearing difficult, if not
impossible to reach for many species of fish in the River Raisin.
Fish passages are considered habitat . . . — — Map (db m201665) HM
Veterans Memorial Park was made possible by the use of
trust funds resulting from civilian defense effort in
Monroe County during World War II and by appropriations
of the Monroe City Commission and the Monroe County
Board of Supervisors.
. . . — — Map (db m200521) HM
The January 1940 issue of Michigan Conservation proclaimed "the park area is man-made." Few State Parks have been shaped and reshaped more drastically than Sterling. From 1935, when it was a narrow spit of sand separating Lake Erie from . . . — — Map (db m201057) HM
This plaque is issued by the Historical Society of Michigan in recognition of
City of Monroe
founded in 1817
for more than 200 years of continuous operation in service to the people of Michigan and for contributing to the economic growth . . . — — Map (db m239962) HM
On December 4, 1958
this building was named
by Monroe County
Library Board in honor
of Edward D. Ellis,
originator in 1835 of the
constitutional provision
allocating penal fines
to libraries. — — Map (db m239293) HM
This camp is dedicated to the children and civic organizations
of Monroe County for their pleasure and recreation.
"Accolades" to
Arthur Lesow
our president for his untiring efforts
in behalf of Holiday Camp . . . — — Map (db m203860) HM
In 1832 and 1871 Monroe County purchased
parcels of land here for a poor farm and county
infirmary as a way of caring for the indigent.
This institution included a "potter's field" where
people without means were interred in unmarked
graves. . . . — — Map (db m239294) HM
General Hull's army hewed out of the wilderness the first Michigan road when it advanced from the River Raisin to Detroit at the beginning of the War of 1812.
In Monroe the original crossing of the river by Hull's Army was at a ford near the . . . — — Map (db m164706) HM
Prohibition in Berlin Township
1918-1933
Berlin Township was a major rum-running
crossroad during the Prohibition years, when
alcohol was prohibited from production and
consumption, in an effort to battle its social
effects. Just as . . . — — Map (db m169467) HM
French-Canadian families settled on the banks of the "Riviere aux Cygnes" in 1816, declaring their faith by celebrating mass in their homes when visited by missionary Redemptorist Fathers.
This Swan Creek Mission became a mission of St. Francis . . . — — Map (db m171157) HM
On April 22, 1833, the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad was granted a charter by the Legislature of the Territory of Michigan and was built and in operation a year before Michigan was a state. It was to connect Toledo (then called Port Lawrence and . . . — — Map (db m27772) HM
Re-Dedicated on November 11, 2015
In Memory Of
All Our Fallen Soldiers
Committee
Keith Gray, Bernice Heidelberg,
Carol Kiley, Sam Pooley, Ron Winslow
Donors
Hamilton Concrete, Kuhlman Corp., Patriot Fence,
The Tile Company, . . . — — Map (db m165522) WM
To the glory of God in memory of those
of Whiteford Township
who gave their lives
in the service of their country
August 23, 1947 — — Map (db m165519) WM
In the early days of the wild Michigan Territory, settlers in
the Petersburg area brought with them faith in God and the
desire to learn and to serve His Glory. Meeting in homes, barns
and schools, they were first served by the Rev. John . . . — — Map (db m200516) HM
This monument is dedicated to those men and women from the Petersburg area who gave their services and lives in the defense of our country — — Map (db m200551) WM
For those who made
the supreme sacrifice They helped advance the American
ideal of liberty to all the
oppressed peoples of the earth
2nd. Lt. Thomas H. Staples
USMC Vietnam
1968
PFC Robert C. Perry
US Army Vietnam
1968
Spec 4 . . . — — Map (db m200553) WM
This pole and flag are dedicated to all the veterans laid to rest on these hallowed grounds. Thank you for your service to our country. Project funded by Flags Over Veterans 2018 — — Map (db m200554) WM
On this site, in 1917, was established one of the first Michigan State police Posts in the state. Some of the original members of The Michigan State Police were stationed in the army barracks building when the entire personnel throughout the state . . . — — Map (db m174565) HM
