The earliest records of the organization of a fire department in Monroe was the German Hook & Ladder Co in 1858. Equipment consisted of ladders, pails, chains, ropes, a wagon, bell and four brass trumpets, uniform shirts, belts and helmets. In case of fire, one man was stationed at the fire house to ring the hand bell, and four men were sent to each corner of the Square with a horn which he sounded by yelling: FIRE! 

This is one of four horns that were found buried beneath a pile of dirt under the stairway of the 1884 firehouse after excavation of the cellar to make way for two new tanker trucks. Shown is one of those four horns. They are on display at Firehouse 1. Information was taken from the “Not so Brief History of the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department” by Joseph Benkert. 

Other interesting local information can be obtained from the Green County Historical Society. A 135-page Monroe Area Pictorial History can be purchased for $25. Yearly and lifetime memberships and a newsletter are available. Questions or comments can be sent to the Society at PO Box 804 or email Linda Lostetter at lostetter68@gmail.com.