History Monroe, Michigan

because of proximity detroit, area of strategic importance during war of 1812 between united states , great britain, after fort detroit surrendered british in august 1812. american forces en route retake detroit had camped in area of river raisin in winter of 1812-13. force of 200 native americans , 63 canadian militia forced retreat north away river raisin 600 kentucky militiamen , 100 french, under command of james winchester, on january 18, 1813. skirmish later dubbed first battle of river raisin .

but, on january 22, 1813, force of 800 native americans , 597 british, under henry procter (british army officer), surprised force of 1,000 americans , captured frenchtown. many of american militia inexperienced, ill-trained, , badly equipped. suffered 397 killed , 547 captured. british , allies had slight losses.

when british departed captives detroit, left americans wounded walk in homes of frenchtown inhabitants under guard of small british detachment , native american allies, including potawatomi. morning after battle, native americans returned frenchtown. plundered , burned homes, killing , ritually scalping many of remaining american captives, , taking others slaves. official u.s. estimate of casualties in aftermath include dozen named individuals killed , 30 more killed. british estimated 6 americans killed.

this event became known throughout united states river raisin massacre . known battle of frenchtown (or second battle of river raisin). today, site of battle preserved river raisin national battlefield park, authorized in 2009. first , far national battlefield established war of 1812 site. has small visitor center.

george armstrong custer’s statue, unveiled in 1910, located @ corner of elm street , monroe street.

the area of frenchtown renamed after war of 1812 , incorporated village of monroe in honor of president james monroe. visited michigan territory in 1817. in same year, city of monroe named county seat of newly created monroe county. monroe re-incorporated city in 1837.

settled american migrants new york , new england, monroe later became associated events in west in later 19th century, particularly indian wars. known childhood home of major general george armstrong custer (1839–1876). family moved here when young, , lived in monroe of childhood. here later met , in 1864 married elizabeth bacon (1842–1933), during civil war. led troops in indian wars , died @ battle of little bighorn, in forces killed lakota. call battle of greasy grass.

in 1910, president william howard taft , widow elizabeth bacon custer unveiled equestrian statue of custer, stands @ corner of elm street , monroe street. custer honored in street names, various historic markers, buildings, schools, , regional custer airport. city limit signs monroe describe city home of general custer.

the la-z-boy furniture company, became known reclining easy chairs, founded in monroe in 1927. world headquarters still located in monroe, in secluded area south of intersection of la-z-boy blvd , stewart road. new facility 1/2 mile east of original location on telegraph road; iconic building still stands , being prepped potential redevelopment.

in 1974, monroe power plant opened. in 21st century, fourth-largest coal firing plant in north america. @ 805 feet (245 m) tall, dual smokestacks visible more 25 miles (40 km) away , among tallest structures in state.