The Green County Historical Society held a picnic celebration July 13 at Lincoln Park in Monroe. 

About 100 people attended to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the designation of the property as a park and observing the 130th anniversary of the building of the water tower. 

Attendees were able to view the inside of the tower. The first water tower in Monroe was critical in the forming of the Monroe water utility, enabling water to homes and in fighting fires. 

A program was given in parts about the creation and history of the park, the tower and the steps to save and place the tower on the national Register of Historic Places. Program speakers were John and Donna Glynn, Christie Strait, Dennis Oostdik, Dennis Stuckey and former Water Dept head, Jerry Ellefson.