The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1907-02-01
MONROE, THE FLORAL CITY.
(coNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
Some six years ago adventurous spir-
its conceived that an electric line be-
tween Monroe and Toledo would pay.
They tried to build ii and succeeded,
although from the prices asked by
some of the suburban residents along
the line for land enough TO put two
lines of rails on, they acquired well
defined idea that the lost site Of the
Garden of Eden must have been some
where between Monroe and Toledo. 1t
was winner from the start. A little
later the company concluded to extend
the line to Detroit and under an ener-
getic railroad man, W. b. Harrington,
pushed the line through and double
tracked il for a portion of its length.
Its business rapidly increased until
now its equipment is taxed to the ut
most to take care of the traffic. One
hour from Toledo and less than an
hour and half from Detroit, the res
idents of those cities have discovered
the many charms of the place as res
idence, with its pure water, splendid
lighting system, high grade schools and
beautiful churches, and they are rapid
ly taking advantage of the fact.
But its healthiest growth is from
within. Its manufactures are varied
and extensive and growing year by
year. In the Press Clubs visit hasty
trip through portion of the old town
was taken: enough, even in its brief
limits, to convince the visitors from
abroad that although one of the oldest
cities in Michigan (Munroe, Mackinac
and Detroit ranking as the oldest set
Elements in the state) it was also one
of the most progressive and beautiful.
Starting from the interurban station
south, block away was the site of the
old "Custer home" the home where
General Custer married Libbie, the
beautiful and accomplished daughter
of Judge Bacon, and the only home the
chivalrous and brilliant warrior ever
knew.
Two blocks below brief stop was
made at the plant of the Monroe Foun-
dry IL Furnace Company, the home OF
the "Floral City Furnace" where SOU
venirs were distributed. Through a
street of beautiful churches they passed
to "MemOrial Place." where the state
has erected beautiful monument to
the brave Kentuckians who fell in the
Massacre of the Raisin" in January,
1913. Two blocks below this they OBJ
tanned a glimpse of the magnificent
building of the "Altenheim" in its
wooded grounds, the home of the aged
of the Lutheran synod covering this
portion of the Union. A short drive
brought them to the old home of Col.
Francis Navarro, one of the pioneer
French settlers, and where the Inflated
Gen. Winchester sought refuge after
the massacre of his troops by the Brit
ish and Indians. 1t is occupied by one
of the descendants of the old pioneer
and is rich in historic associations and
relics.
Just south of the Navarro place lie
the quarries of the Monroe Stone Co,
which were visited by the party. Here
| is quarried and crushed much of the
stone used in the paving and concrete
work i'm Detroit, this and the Shore
Line quarries north of the river being
engaged the year through on this work
During the visit battery blast was ar.
ranged and discharged. IL was several
thunderstorms and an earthquake all
rolled into one. BY it were released
fifty car loads of stone. A drive north.
ward through elm shaded streets and
beautiful residences, past a whole
square occupied by two of the -four
! buildings occupied by the public
schools of the city, brought the party
to the Armory of the local company OF
the NJ. ". g.. a fine building which con
tains an opera house of good dimen
sions and fine collection of the Custer
relics, given to the association by the
Generals wife. A block from this or
a beautiful square surrounded by for
est trees stands the Court House of the
county, neat and tasty building.
From this point the excursionists
were driven over long and finely
paved street TO the docks. On the way
q stop was made at the Wilder-Stronl
Implement Company's large factory
where souvenirs were distributed, anc
a view was obtained of the Deinzel
Furniture Factory, another large plant
devoted TO the manufacture of furni
ture sin the white" a block south OF
the Wilder institution. At the docks 9
visit was made to the Boehme & Raucf
fooforV tho 10 rnouf nntnl.tnoH hrv apf