In February of 1936, the area was hit with a huge snowstorm and there was difficulty clearing roads. In this photo taken south of Monroe, a ladder needed to be used by linemen. The snow and bitter cold brought about many troubles clearing roadways.

Charles Smith, Highway commissioner, ordered a borrowed plow (recently voted by the County Board to try out in a “big time emergency”) to be hooked up to the county’s plow only to realize the plow and the tractor did not fit together. Since the plow was not the property of the county, Smith did not feel at liberty to alter the plow to fit the tractor. Calling for another tractor from Cadiz township, which had to be towed into Monroe, and would not run under its own power.  “We have no heat in the place where we have to keep the plow and tractor!” said Smith, according to the Monroe Evening Times. “It’s too cold for the men to work efficiently and for the motor to be started. The County simply said to go ahead and try the plow without providing facilities for it. The operator is exposed to the cold wind and elements while out along the highway.”

Budget restraints existed at that time too. “Smith pointed out that the County board had allowed not a cent for snow clearance work and that some money from maintenance funds may have to be used, but he did not know if this was legal.”

Herman Meier of the Southern Wisconsin Transportation Co., operating busses from Madison to Freeport, was out early with a double blade plow on the front of his heavy Cadillac sedan breaking a route for his busses creating a car-width wide path from Monroe to Verona.

Any pictures of weather disasters are requested for archiving at the Green County Historical Museum. Contact Linda Lostetter 608-325-9730 or mail to PO Box 804, Monroe, WI.