Monroe is a vibrant city located in northeastern Louisiana and is the eighth largest city in the United States. It is the parish seat of Ouachita and is the center of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area. With an elevation of 72 feet (21.9 m) above sea level and a total area of 31.6 square miles (83.9 km), Monroe has a rich history that dates back to the Spanish colonial period. The city was named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, who was honored by the steamboat that arrived in the spring of 1820.
Monroe has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with an average annual rainfall of more than 51 inches (1.3 m). The winter months are usually mild, with an average of 35 days of temperatures below zero or below freezing per year, while the summer months are hot and humid, with maximum temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, an average of 91 days a year. Monroe is home to the 528th Engineer Battalion of the Louisiana Army National Guard and was once the headquarters of Delta Air Lines during the second half of the 1920s. The city is served by Monroe Regional Airport which has three main runways and is serviced by regional partners of American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF and Norfolk Southern serve freight traffic in the city. Monroe was founded in 1785 when a group of French pioneers from southern Louisiana under Don Juan (later John) Filhiol established Fort Miró as a trading post by virtue of a land grant obtained from King Charles X of Spain.
In August and September 1863, Monroe was the scene of two minor conflicts during the American Civil War. Monroe's education department, Monroe City Schools operates separately from the larger school system in Ouachita Parish. Monroe and West Monroe are also known for being manufacturing and trade centers for surrounding rural parishes where livestock farming predominates. Monroe is home to many attractions such as Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo which together keep more than 500 animals. Griffin (1911-198) bought a boat dealership in 1936 when he was studying at what became University of Louisiana Monroe. The city of Monroe has a long and fascinating history that dates back to 1785 when it was first established as Fort Miró. It has since grown into a vibrant city with many attractions and amenities that make it an ideal place to live or visit.
With its humid subtropical climate, mild winters, hot summers, and abundance of rainfall, Monroe is a great place to explore and discover its rich history.
