One of my favorite things about winter is the crisp air which brings a period of calmness and awareness. While this year’s winter looks different (no white Christmas and green grass poking out of the snow), it still provides an opportunity to slow down, even as we seek ways to fill our time.

I love taking long winter walks. The Christmas decorations are gone now, providing an unobstructed view of the downtown buildings. It’s hard not to be preoccupied with the courthouse. Built in 1891, its soaring 120-foot clock tower and two 80-foot towers make it an iconic landmark (the courtroom is open to the public). But it’s surrounded by architectural gems.  

Our historic downtown has a rich, storied history. In the 1800s, Monroe had two train stations — one on the north and one on the south sides of town. The unpaved streets were filled with cattle, pigs, merchants and traveling carts. The Square was paved in 1913, the last hitching posts were removed in 1938, and penny parking meters disappeared in 2009. But the buildings that replaced early wooden structures remain; most of which were constructed between 1869 and 1910. The Treats Buildings were completed in 1872; another on the west side of the Square dates from 1888. Yet another, newer addition, will be celebrating 100 years in 2020.

A leisurely walk through the Main Street Monroe Historic District helps reveal the craftsmanship of Monroe’s early Swiss and German brick workers. From graceful old-world artistry to ornate details on window frames and cornices of the eclectic commercial facades, there is a lot to appreciate. You’ll notice a particularly strong example of the temple Greek Revival Style at the former library. The building was built in 1904-1905 by Madison based architects who used the identical plan for Whitewater Memorial Library, but in reverse. The Green County House was built in 1864 and has had several names since; most of the owners have been serving up a wide variety of delicious foods since 1981. Suisse Haus Food & Spirits was built in 1860 as A. Miller’s Furniture & Manufacturing. It now stands as one of the oldest commercial buildings in Monroe, having originally housed a German immigrant’s fine furniture and casket making company before being converted to the City Hotel.

I could go on and on. Each building has its own story with many chapters. While Main Street has promoted walking tours of the district since 2005, last year we were presented with a fantastic opportunity. Green County Leaders (a team of local people working together to better the community) updated and created a virtual downtown walking tour.

Eight different historic properties were chosen — ranging from a much-loved Victorian High Gothic building saved from destruction in 1975 to a Swiss Emmenthal-style chalet and others placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Main Street Monroe will expand the number of properties highlighted in videos and maintain the work that’s already been done.

So whether you know the southwest corner as Rainbow Confections or it will forever be Ruf’s Confectionary to you, (or possibly you remember hearing Ruf’s was originally on the northeast side of the Square), we hope you’ll check out these virtual tours on our website: www.mainstreetmonroe.org. The short videos are just long enough to give you an appreciation for each building’s history and the efforts to preserve it. Every building in the district has a story to tell. We hope these videos help you discover the history and magic behind whatever beautiful buildings happen to catch your eye as you walk downtown. 

— Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net.