An advertisement in the August 14, 1906 issue of the Monroe Evening Times stated that 52 lots in the Gettings Addition to the City of Monroe were on sale for $250 per lot. What remains of the Gettings Addition is located on both sides of what is now 5th Street between 18th Avenue [then known as Madison Road and later known as Highway 69, before the bypass was constructed] and what would have been 23rd Avenue if it had extended north of 6th Street. The advertisement said that it was a five minute walk from the courthouse, had easy access to sewer and water, and was located on high ground in an excellent neighborhood. By purchasing one of these lots in the new subdivision, a 14-acre tract only seven blocks from the square, “one would be set.” No other lots in the First Ward could be purchased for that price. Lots only two blocks away were selling for $600 and three blocks away for $800 to $1,000 per lot.
Roger and Bridget Gettings had purchased the property in Monroe Township from Malvina Martin and her husband, Christopher, on October 3, 1882 for $4,000. Roger, a widower, passed away on December 30, 1901. This land was platted about a month prior to the lots being numbered and put on the market by Miles T. Gettings, son of the late owners.
These lots were being sold in the same way that lots in the Grandview Addition were sold in September 1906, as described in the twelfth Back in the Day column, published on May 2, 2020. After all the lots were sold, the buyers appointed a committee of three disinterested men who supervised the allotment of the various lots in accordance with the plan. Each buyer received a card for each lot purchased and put his name on it. Each of the lot numbers was placed on another card, with the exception that lots 7 and 8 and lots 30 and 31 would each share a card. Each of the two sets of cards would be placed in separate containers and one card drawn from each receptacle, simultaneously. The person whose name appeared on the buyers card would be allotted the lot number that appeared upon that card drawn. All of the lots were large with none less than 60 feet in width and the majority 65 feet in width. The depth of the lot was 122 feet with a 15-foot alley, in addition. Every lot fronted upon a full size street 60 feet in width.
The winner of lots 7 and 8 would receive the former Gettings’ residence, a 12-room house with five closets and a summer kitchen, splendid cellar and cistern, beautiful lawn and shade trees, “all situated on the level crest of the eminence forming this addition. These two lots are worth $2500. Someone will get them for $250. Why not you?” Lot 13 contained two barns and a large hen house. “One barn, good as new 22 x 36, the other out of repair, with a solid hewn timber frame, good as new.” This lot will be worth $900 to $1,000. It could also be bought for $250. Lot 12 was covered with a fine orchard of apple and cherry trees, all bearing. Lot 11 also contained an orchard. Lot 14 contained a fine well, 190 feet deep, with a pump and new steel tower windmill.
Lots 1 through 5 fronted on 18th Avenue; the owners had been offered $500 just as they were before platting. Lot 54 is 62 feet wide and 250 feet long; more than two full lots and easily worth $500. It was also going for $250. Lot 49 was 62 x 195, also nearly 2 full lots. Lots 16 and 17 (511 and 515 20th Avenue) were two of the finest lots in this addition; at that time they were the site of an abandoned stone quarry. The owners guaranteed to fill and grade both lots, making them real prizes in the drawing.
The sale of these lots did not begin until August 14; six days later 14 lots had already been sold. Nearly all of the men who had invested were men of means; some were wealthy. Two lots had been sold to men who intended to build residences as soon as they got their deed.
Another ad appeared a week later stating that 29 lots had been sold in 11 days with only 23 left. “Half of them are as good as sold if we may believe what is told us by those who have bought and are now taking their relatives and friends to look over the proposition. If you have been hesitating to buy a lot because you felt there was plenty of time, you’ll have to alter your plan of action. These lots are almost certain to be sold within the next two weeks and if they are, the drawing will probably be held sometime during September.”
All of the lots were sold by August 31; the drawing, which attracted a large crowd, was held on the afternoon of September 6. Ed. T. Kundert and F. F. West conducted the drawing with the numbers being drawn by John Malia. Those 14 acres sold for a total of $13,000.
Fred Hoffstetter was the winner of the prize, receiving the double lots with Gettings’ large residence. John Duercher drew the lot with the barn; Mrs. Maud Monroe received the lot with the well and windmill. The double lots on the east end were drawn by Robert Coley and Fred Kundert. The stone quarry lot went to Carl Vogt. J. H. Durst, Sam Hoesly, George O. Pietzch, C. Fred Miller, and J. H. Elmer drew lots facing 18th Avenue.
Much of the Gettings Addition is now occupied by the SSM hospital and clinic parking lot. Construction of St. Clare Hospital, which opened in 1939, changed the neighborhood forever.
— Matt Figi is a Monroe resident and a local historian. His column will appear periodically on Saturdays in the Times. He can be reached at mfigi48@tds.net or at 608-325-6503.
