Monroe, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat
of Monroe County
. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township
, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles (23 km) north of Toledo
, Ohio
and 25 miles (40 km) south of Detroit. The United States Census Bureau
lists Monroe as the core city in the Monroe Metropolitan Area, which had a population of 152,021 in 2010. Monroe itself is officially part of the Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint
CSA
, and Monroe is also sometimes unofficially included as a northerly extension of the Toledo Metropolitan Area
.
Settled as early as 1784, Monroe was plat
ted in 1817 and was named after then-President
James Monroe
. Today, the city has a strong sense of historic preservation
ism and is remembered for the Battle of Frenchtown
during the War of 1812
, as well as being the childhood residence of George Armstrong Custer
and other members of his family, including his wife Elizabeth Bacon
and brother Boston Custer
. The city has numerous historic museums and landmarks. Monroe is also recognized as the home of the La-Z-Boy
world headquarters.
) hundreds of years before the French reached the area for the first time in the late seventeenth-century. Robert de LaSalle
claimed the area for New France
after his 1679 exhibition on the Griffon
. In 1784, Francis Navarre was given a portion of land south of the River Raisin
by the Potawatomi. Frenchtown
was settled shortly thereafter as the third European settlement in the state. Around the same time, the Sandy Creek Settlement
was established just north of Frenchtown by Joseph Porlier Benec.
The area, because of its close location to Detroit, was of strategic importance during the War of 1812
, especially after Detroit fell to the enemy British
during the Siege of Detroit
in August 1812. The area of Frenchtown served as a stepping stone for the American forces
to retake Detroit, and this led to the devastating Battle of Frenchtown
in January 1813. The American forces camped in the area in an attempt to move to retake Detroit when they met British and Indian opposition near the shores of the River Raisin on January 18. Initially, the Americans, under the command of James Winchester
, fought off the British and Indians in what was later dubbed the First Battle of the River Raisin. However, four days later, the Americans were counterattack
ed in the same location. Many of the Americans were injured from the previous battle, and their escape routes were cut off. The British, under Henry Proctor, and their Indian allies slaughtered almost 400 American soldiers in what would later be known as the Battle of Frenchtown (or the Second Battle of the River Raisin). The surviving Americans who were unable to retreat became prisoners of war
, but some were later slaughtered by Indian forces in an incident dubbed the River Raisin massacre. Today, the site of the battle houses a small visitor center and the recently authorized River Raisin National Battlefield Park
.
The area of Frenchtown was renamed and incorporated as the village of Monroe in honor of President
James Monroe
, who visited the Michigan Territory
in 1817. In the same year, the city of Monroe was named the county seat
of the newly-created Monroe County
. Monroe re-incorporated as a city in 1837. Monroe is known for the residency of United States Major General
George Armstrong Custer
(1839–1876) during his childhood. While he was not born in Monroe, Custer spent much of his boyhood living in Monroe, where he later met and married Elizabeth Bacon
(1842–1933) during the Civil War
in 1864. In 1910, President William Howard Taft
and the widowed Elizabeth Bacon unveiled an equestrian statue of Custer (George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument
) that now rests at the corner of Elm Street and Monroe Street
. Custer’s namesake is honored as street names, various historic markers, buildings, schools, and the Custer Airport
. City limit signs for Monroe also mention the city as "the home of General Custer." The city is also known as the home of La-Z-Boy
, which was founded in Monroe in 1927. Their world headquarters are located in Monroe on Telegraph Road. In 1974, the Monroe Power Plant
, currently the fourth largest coal firing plant in North America, opened. At 805 feet (245 m) tall, the dual smokestacks
are the visible from over 25 miles (40.2 km) away and are among the tallest structures in the state.
of 2000, there were 22,076 people, 8,594 households, and 5,586 families in the city. The population density
was 2,440.9 per square mile (942.9/km²). There were 9,107 housing units at an average density of 1,007.0 per square mile (389.0/km²). The racial makeup was 90.87% White, 5.07% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races
, and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population.
There were 8,594 households of which 33.6% had children under 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples
living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size 3.10.
In the city the population was 26.9% under 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,810, and the median income for a family $51,442. Males had a median income of $42,881 versus $25,816 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,948. 9.0% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under 18 and 16.1% of those 65 or over.
, the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.2 km²), of which 9 square miles (23.3 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it (10.14%) is water. Monroe sits at the lowest elevation in state of Michigan, which is the shores of Lake Erie
at 571 feet (174 meters). The average elevation of the city of Monroe is 594 feet (182 meters). The Port of Monroe is the only Michigan port on Lake Erie, and Sterling State Park
is the only of Michigan's 98 state parks located on or near Lake Erie. The River Raisin
and Sandy Creek
travel through Monroe, although these waterways are unnavigable
.
zone. Monroe only receives an average of 28.5 inches (72.4 cm) of snow a year — the lowest average snowfall for any large city in the state. July is the warmest month with an average high temperature of 84 °F (29 °C), and January is the coldest month with an average low temperature of 16 °F (-9 °C). Monroe does not normally have extremely hot or cold temperatures. On average, the temperature only drops below 0 °F (-18 °C) a couple of times during a winter season, and it is even rarer for the temperature to rise above 100 °F (38 °C) during the summer. The coldest recorded temperature was -21 °F (-29 °C) on February 5, 1918. The highest recorded temperature was 106 °F (41 °C) on July 24, 1934, with another equal temperature recorded on one occasion many years earlier.
district, Monroe Public Schools
(MPS), which enrolls approximately 6,700 students. MPS operates nine elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, one alternative
high school, and two specialized education centers. At around 2,100 students, Monroe High School is one of the largest high schools in the state. Monroe is also served by the Monroe County Intermediate School District
, which provides services to other schools in the form of special education
services, support staff, substitute teacher
s, and educational technology
(such as computers and distance learning). Students in Monroe may also attend one of two public charter school
s, and there are also over a dozen various parochial school
s in and around Monroe. The largest of these schools is St. Mary Catholic Central High School, which enrolls over 400 students a year and has a full sports program that competes against the other public school districts. Students may also be homeschooled.
Marygrove College
, sponsored by the local Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
(IHM), was founded in Monroe in 1905 as a Catholic
, liberal arts
college. The college then moved to its current location in Detroit in 1927. The IHM also operated a boarding school
, the Hall of the Divine Child
, in Monroe from 1918–1980. Monroe County Community College
was founded in 1964 just west of Monroe. It is the only higher education
school in Monroe County.
bus system. Established in 1975, Lake Erie Transit currently has a fleet of 31 buses and serves approximately 400,000 riders every year. In 2008, the system logged 764,000 miles. The system operates buses on eight fixed routes in and around the city of Monroe. It also serves several neighboring townships outside of its normal routes should a passenger call ahead for a ride. From Bedford Township
, its provides transportation to and from two shopping malls in Toledo, Ohio
.
, Japan
since 1993
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Monroe County
Monroe County, Michigan
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2010 population is 152,021. The largest city and county seat is Monroe. The U.S. Census Bureau defines all of Monroe County as conterminous with the Monroe Metropolitan Area...
. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township
Monroe Charter Township, Michigan
Monroe Charter Township is a charter township of Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 13,491. The City of Monroe is adjacent to the township, but is administratively autonomous...
, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles (23 km) north of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and 25 miles (40 km) south of Detroit. The United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
lists Monroe as the core city in the Monroe Metropolitan Area, which had a population of 152,021 in 2010. Monroe itself is officially part of the Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint
Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit which shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit metropolitan area is the second largest U.S. metropolitan area...
CSA
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
, and Monroe is also sometimes unofficially included as a northerly extension of the Toledo Metropolitan Area
Toledo metropolitan area
The Toledo Metropolitan Area is a metropolitan area centered in the American city of Toledo, Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 651,429.According to the U.S...
.
Settled as early as 1784, Monroe was plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted in 1817 and was named after then-President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
. Today, the city has a strong sense of historic preservation
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
ism and is remembered for the Battle of Frenchtown
Battle of Frenchtown
The Battle of Frenchtown, also known as the Battle of the River Raisin or the River Raisin Massacre, was a series of conflicts that took place from January 18–23, 1813 during the War of 1812...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, as well as being the childhood residence of George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
and other members of his family, including his wife Elizabeth Bacon
Elizabeth Bacon Custer
Elizabeth Bacon Custer was the wife of General George Armstrong Custer. After his death, she became an outspoken advocate for her husband's legacy through her popular books and lectures...
and brother Boston Custer
Boston Custer
Boston Custer was the youngest brother of U.S. Army General George Armstrong Custer and two-time Medal of Honor recipient Captain Thomas Custer...
. The city has numerous historic museums and landmarks. Monroe is also recognized as the home of the La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy Incorporated is a furniture manufacturer based in Monroe, Michigan, USA which makes home furniture, including upholstered recliners, sofas, stationary chairs, and sleeper sofas...
world headquarters.
History
The area was settled by Indian tribes (specifically the PotawatomiPotawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
) hundreds of years before the French reached the area for the first time in the late seventeenth-century. Robert de LaSalle
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, or Robert de LaSalle was a French explorer. He explored the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico...
claimed the area for New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
after his 1679 exhibition on the Griffon
Le Griffon
Le Griffon was a 17th century sailing ship built by René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in his quest to find the Northwest Passage to China and Japan....
. In 1784, Francis Navarre was given a portion of land south of the River Raisin
River Raisin
The River Raisin is a river in southeastern Michigan, United States that flows through glacial sediments into Lake Erie. The area today is an agricultural and industrial center of Michigan. The river flows for almost , draining an area of in the Michigan counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw,...
by the Potawatomi. Frenchtown
Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan
Frenchtown Charter Township is a charter township of Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,777 at the 2000 census. Frenchtown is the second most populated township in Monroe County after Bedford Township...
was settled shortly thereafter as the third European settlement in the state. Around the same time, the Sandy Creek Settlement
Sandy Creek (Michigan)
Sandy Creek is an creek located entirely within Monroe County, Michigan. The creek rises in London Township in the north-central portion of the county and flows southeast into Lake Erie at Sterling State Park on the south side of Detroit Beach in Frenchtown Charter Township...
was established just north of Frenchtown by Joseph Porlier Benec.
The area, because of its close location to Detroit, was of strategic importance during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, especially after Detroit fell to the enemy British
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the Siege of Detroit
Siege of Detroit
The Siege of Detroit, also known as the Surrender of Detroit, or the Battle of Fort Detroit, was an early engagement in the Anglo-American War of 1812...
in August 1812. The area of Frenchtown served as a stepping stone for the American forces
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
to retake Detroit, and this led to the devastating Battle of Frenchtown
Battle of Frenchtown
The Battle of Frenchtown, also known as the Battle of the River Raisin or the River Raisin Massacre, was a series of conflicts that took place from January 18–23, 1813 during the War of 1812...
in January 1813. The American forces camped in the area in an attempt to move to retake Detroit when they met British and Indian opposition near the shores of the River Raisin on January 18. Initially, the Americans, under the command of James Winchester
James Winchester
James Winchester was an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a brigadier general during the War of 1812. He commanded the American forces at the Battle of Frenchtown, which led to the Massacre of the River Raisin....
, fought off the British and Indians in what was later dubbed the First Battle of the River Raisin. However, four days later, the Americans were counterattack
Counterattack
A counterattack is a tactic used in response against an attack. The term originates in military strategy. The general objective is to negate or thwart the advantage gained by the enemy in attack and the specific objectives are usually to regain lost ground or to destroy attacking enemy units.It is...
ed in the same location. Many of the Americans were injured from the previous battle, and their escape routes were cut off. The British, under Henry Proctor, and their Indian allies slaughtered almost 400 American soldiers in what would later be known as the Battle of Frenchtown (or the Second Battle of the River Raisin). The surviving Americans who were unable to retreat became prisoners of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
, but some were later slaughtered by Indian forces in an incident dubbed the River Raisin massacre. Today, the site of the battle houses a small visitor center and the recently authorized River Raisin National Battlefield Park
River Raisin National Battlefield Park
The River Raisin National Battlefield Park was established as the 393rd unit of the United States National Park Service under Title VII of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, which was signed into law on March 30, 2009. The park is located in the city of Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan. It...
.
The area of Frenchtown was renamed and incorporated as the village of Monroe in honor of President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
, who visited the Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
in 1817. In the same year, the city of Monroe was named the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of the newly-created Monroe County
Monroe County, Michigan
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2010 population is 152,021. The largest city and county seat is Monroe. The U.S. Census Bureau defines all of Monroe County as conterminous with the Monroe Metropolitan Area...
. Monroe re-incorporated as a city in 1837. Monroe is known for the residency of United States Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
(1839–1876) during his childhood. While he was not born in Monroe, Custer spent much of his boyhood living in Monroe, where he later met and married Elizabeth Bacon
Elizabeth Bacon Custer
Elizabeth Bacon Custer was the wife of General George Armstrong Custer. After his death, she became an outspoken advocate for her husband's legacy through her popular books and lectures...
(1842–1933) during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in 1864. In 1910, President William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
and the widowed Elizabeth Bacon unveiled an equestrian statue of Custer (George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument
George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument
The George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument, also known as Sighting the Enemy, is an equestrian statue of George Armstrong Custer by Edward Clark Potter, located in Monroe, Michigan. The statue was unveiled on June 4, 1910...
) that now rests at the corner of Elm Street and Monroe Street
M-125 (Michigan highway)
M-125 Connector is a connector route running through Erie. It connects I-75 with M-125. It is a four lane divided highway for its entire length, named "Summit Street" in Erie. It is known internally to the Michigan Department of Transportation as "Connector 2"...
. Custer’s namesake is honored as street names, various historic markers, buildings, schools, and the Custer Airport
Custer Airport
Custer Airport , sometimes referred to as Monroe Custer Airport, is a city-owned public airport located in the city of Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan...
. City limit signs for Monroe also mention the city as "the home of General Custer." The city is also known as the home of La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy Incorporated is a furniture manufacturer based in Monroe, Michigan, USA which makes home furniture, including upholstered recliners, sofas, stationary chairs, and sleeper sofas...
, which was founded in Monroe in 1927. Their world headquarters are located in Monroe on Telegraph Road. In 1974, the Monroe Power Plant
Monroe Power Plant
The Monroe Power Plant is a coal-fired power plant located in Monroe, Michigan on the western shore of Lake Erie. It is owned by the Detroit Edison Company, a subsidiary of DTE Energy. The plant was constructed in the early 1970s and was completed in 1974. The plant has 4 generating units, each...
, currently the fourth largest coal firing plant in North America, opened. At 805 feet (245 m) tall, the dual smokestacks
Chimney
A chimney is a structure for venting hot flue gases or smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere. Chimneys are typically vertical, or as near as possible to vertical, to ensure that the gases flow smoothly, drawing air into the combustion in what is known as the...
are the visible from over 25 miles (40.2 km) away and are among the tallest structures in the state.
Demographics
In the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 22,076 people, 8,594 households, and 5,586 families in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,440.9 per square mile (942.9/km²). There were 9,107 housing units at an average density of 1,007.0 per square mile (389.0/km²). The racial makeup was 90.87% White, 5.07% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population.
There were 8,594 households of which 33.6% had children under 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size 3.10.
In the city the population was 26.9% under 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,810, and the median income for a family $51,442. Males had a median income of $42,881 versus $25,816 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,948. 9.0% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under 18 and 16.1% of those 65 or over.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.2 km²), of which 9 square miles (23.3 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it (10.14%) is water. Monroe sits at the lowest elevation in state of Michigan, which is the shores of Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
at 571 feet (174 meters). The average elevation of the city of Monroe is 594 feet (182 meters). The Port of Monroe is the only Michigan port on Lake Erie, and Sterling State Park
Sterling State Park
Sterling State Park in the United States is the only Michigan state park located on the shores of Lake Erie. The park encompasses 2.03 mi² just northeast of Monroe, Michigan in Frenchtown Charter Township in Monroe County. The park was established in 1920. The park sits just north of where the...
is the only of Michigan's 98 state parks located on or near Lake Erie. The River Raisin
River Raisin
The River Raisin is a river in southeastern Michigan, United States that flows through glacial sediments into Lake Erie. The area today is an agricultural and industrial center of Michigan. The river flows for almost , draining an area of in the Michigan counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw,...
and Sandy Creek
Sandy Creek (Michigan)
Sandy Creek is an creek located entirely within Monroe County, Michigan. The creek rises in London Township in the north-central portion of the county and flows southeast into Lake Erie at Sterling State Park on the south side of Detroit Beach in Frenchtown Charter Township...
travel through Monroe, although these waterways are unnavigable
Navigability
A body of water, such as a river, canal or lake, is navigable if it is deep, wide and slow enough for a vessel to pass. Preferably there are few obstructions such as rocks or trees to avoid. Bridges must have sufficient clearance. High water speed may make a channel unnavigable. Waters may be...
.
Climate
Monroe lies in the humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
zone. Monroe only receives an average of 28.5 inches (72.4 cm) of snow a year — the lowest average snowfall for any large city in the state. July is the warmest month with an average high temperature of 84 °F (29 °C), and January is the coldest month with an average low temperature of 16 °F (-9 °C). Monroe does not normally have extremely hot or cold temperatures. On average, the temperature only drops below 0 °F (-18 °C) a couple of times during a winter season, and it is even rarer for the temperature to rise above 100 °F (38 °C) during the summer. The coldest recorded temperature was -21 °F (-29 °C) on February 5, 1918. The highest recorded temperature was 106 °F (41 °C) on July 24, 1934, with another equal temperature recorded on one occasion many years earlier.
Education
The city of Monroe is served by only one large public schoolPublic education
State schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
district, Monroe Public Schools
Monroe Public Schools (Michigan)
Monroe Public Schools is a public school district in Monroe, Michigan. It is the largest school district in Monroe County in terms of enrollment...
(MPS), which enrolls approximately 6,700 students. MPS operates nine elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, one alternative
Alternative education
Alternative education, also known as non-traditional education or educational alternative, includes a number of approaches to teaching and learning other than mainstream or traditional education. Educational alternatives are often rooted in various philosophies that are fundamentally different...
high school, and two specialized education centers. At around 2,100 students, Monroe High School is one of the largest high schools in the state. Monroe is also served by the Monroe County Intermediate School District
Monroe County Intermediate School District
The Monroe County Intermediate School District is an intermediate school district that provides educational services throughout Monroe County, Michigan. The ISD provides numerous services to all nine of Monroe County's public schools, as well as two public charter schools and 15 private schools...
, which provides services to other schools in the form of special education
Special education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
services, support staff, substitute teacher
Substitute teacher
A substitute teacher is a person who teaches a school class when the regular teacher is unavailable; e.g., because of illness, personal leave, or other reasons. "Substitute teacher" is the most commonly used phrase in the United States, Canada and Ireland, while supply teacher is the most commonly...
s, and educational technology
Educational technology
Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources." The term educational technology is often associated with, and encompasses, instructional theory and...
(such as computers and distance learning). Students in Monroe may also attend one of two public charter school
Charter school
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter...
s, and there are also over a dozen various parochial school
Parochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
s in and around Monroe. The largest of these schools is St. Mary Catholic Central High School, which enrolls over 400 students a year and has a full sports program that competes against the other public school districts. Students may also be homeschooled.
Marygrove College
Marygrove College
Marygrove College is an independent, Catholic, liberal arts college located in Detroit, Michigan. The college is sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.-History:...
, sponsored by the local Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are a Catholic teaching order for women. It is divided among three separate congregations. The original community of the order is headquartered in Monroe, Michigan. The Mother house currently houses more than 400 sisters, more than 100 of which...
(IHM), was founded in Monroe in 1905 as a Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
college. The college then moved to its current location in Detroit in 1927. The IHM also operated a boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
, the Hall of the Divine Child
Hall of the Divine Child
The Hall of the Divine Child was a kindergarten through eighth grade boarding school in Monroe, Michigan. It was built in 1918, and closed in 1980, with the building being turned into the "Norman Towers"....
, in Monroe from 1918–1980. Monroe County Community College
Monroe County Community College
Monroe County Community College is a public community college located just west of the city of Monroe, Michigan with another building, the Whitman Center, located in Temperance. The main campus itself is just south of M-50 within Monroe Charter Township. MCCC was founded in 1964 and is the only...
was founded in 1964 just west of Monroe. It is the only higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
school in Monroe County.
Top employers
According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercy Memorial Hospital | 1,600 |
| 2 | County of Monroe Monroe County, Michigan Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2010 population is 152,021. The largest city and county seat is Monroe. The U.S. Census Bureau defines all of Monroe County as conterminous with the Monroe Metropolitan Area... |
1,062 |
| 3 | DTE Energy DTE Energy DTE Energy Co. is a Detroit, Michigan-based utility incorporated in 1995 involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.... |
530 |
| 4 | La-Z-Boy La-Z-Boy La-Z-Boy Incorporated is a furniture manufacturer based in Monroe, Michigan, USA which makes home furniture, including upholstered recliners, sofas, stationary chairs, and sleeper sofas... |
522 |
| 5 | Macsteel | 450 |
| 6 | Monroe Bank & Trust | 401 |
| 7 | Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are a Catholic teaching order for women. It is divided among three separate congregations. The original community of the order is headquartered in Monroe, Michigan. The Mother house currently houses more than 400 sisters, more than 100 of which... |
265 |
| 8 | City of Monroe | 205 |
| 9 | Monroe Publishing Company | 200 |
| 10 | SYGMA Network SYSCO Sysco Corporation is the global leader in marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, hotels and inns, and other foodservice and hospitality businesses... |
162 |
Transportation
The city of Monroe is served by the Lake Erie Transit public transportationPublic transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
bus system. Established in 1975, Lake Erie Transit currently has a fleet of 31 buses and serves approximately 400,000 riders every year. In 2008, the system logged 764,000 miles. The system operates buses on eight fixed routes in and around the city of Monroe. It also serves several neighboring townships outside of its normal routes should a passenger call ahead for a ride. From Bedford Township
Bedford Township, Monroe County, Michigan
Bedford Township is a civil township of Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 28,606 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Temperance, Lambertville, and Samaria are located within the township. The township is directly north of Toledo, Ohio, sharing its...
, its provides transportation to and from two shopping malls in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
.
 |
I-75 Interstate 75 in Michigan Interstate 75 is a part of the Interstate Highway System and runs from Miami, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I-75 enters the state from Ohio in the south, just to the north of Toledo. It runs generally north through Detroit, Pontiac and Bay City, crossing the... |
Interstate 75 travels through Monroe and provides access to Toledo Toledo, Ohio Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan... and Detroit. There are five interchanges Interchange (road) In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which... in and near Monroe: LaPlaisance Road (exit 11), Elm Street (exit 13), Front Street (exit 14), North Dixie Highway (exit 15), and Nadeau Road (exit 18). |
 |
I-275 Interstate 275 (Michigan) Interstate 275 in the US state of Michigan is an Interstate Highway that functions as a western bypass of the Detroit metropolitan area. The Michigan Department of Transportation maintains it as a component of the larger state trunkline highway system. The freeway runs through the western suburbs... |
I-275 has its southern terminus just north of Monroe. Splitting off from I-75, I-275 is a western bypass around Detroit but does not actually merge back with I-75. Aside from I-75, the highway can be accessed near Monroe by US-24 (Telegraph Road) via exit 2. |
 |
M-50 M-50 (Michigan highway) M-50 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. Although designated as an east–west highway, it is nearly a diagonal northwest-southeast route... |
The recently truncated eastern terminus of M-50 is in Monroe at US-24 and provides a direct route to Dundee Dundee, Michigan Dundee is a village in Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,522 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Dundee Township. Through a series of annexations and land transfers, the village has greatly increased in size over the past several years... , Jackson Jackson, Michigan Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534... , and further. In Monroe, M-50 is known locally as South Custer Road. Its former terminus used to be I-75 at exit 15. |
 |
US-24 | US-24 travels through Monroe and provides access to Toledo and western portions of Detroit. The road is known locally as North Telegraph and South Telegraph — divided at the River Raisin River Raisin The River Raisin is a river in southeastern Michigan, United States that flows through glacial sediments into Lake Erie. The area today is an agricultural and industrial center of Michigan. The river flows for almost , draining an area of in the Michigan counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw,... . US-24 also connects to I-275 just north of Monroe. |
 |
M-125 M-125 (Michigan highway) M-125 Connector is a connector route running through Erie. It connects I-75 with M-125. It is a four lane divided highway for its entire length, named "Summit Street" in Erie. It is known internally to the Michigan Department of Transportation as "Connector 2"... |
M-125 travels directly through the downtown area before merging into US-24 north of Monroe. South of downtown after Jones Avenue, it is called South Dixie Highway. In the downtown area, it is South Monroe Street. North of the River Raisin, it is North Monroe Street. |
 |
M-130 M-130 (Michigan highway) M-130 was the designation of a former state trunkline route in the extreme southeast corner of the US state of Michigan. It ran from Monroe westerly along current day North Custer Road on the northern side of River Raisin... |
M-130 was a state highway existing from 1930–1955 and ran along the northern banks of the River Raisin. M-130 had its eastern terminus at US-24 and ran for just over nine miles (14 km). In 1955, control of the highway was transferred back to the county. Today, it is called North Custer Road. |
 |
Dixie Highway Dixie Highway The Dixie Highway was a United States automobile highway, first planned in 1914 to connect the US Midwest with the Southern United States. It was part of the National Auto Trail system, and grew out of an earlier Miami to Montreal highway. The final result is better understood as a small network of... |
The old Dixie Highway ran through Monroe in as early as 1915. It was originally one of the few ways to reach places like Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... , but the highway was largely replaced by I-75 beginning in the 1960s. Today, the namesake of the highway is used for two non-connecting highways (one being M-125), although the same route and remnants of the original highway are long gone. |
 |
US-25 U.S. Route 25 U.S. Route 25 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from Brunswick, Georgia to the Ohio state line in Covington, Kentucky.-Georgia:... |
U.S. Route 25 was the designated name for the portion of Dixie Highway north of Cincinnati, including the portion running through Monroe. Like Dixie Highway, US-25 was largely replaced, and the existing highway was truncated at Cincinnati. |
 |
Custer Airport Custer Airport Custer Airport , sometimes referred to as Monroe Custer Airport, is a city-owned public airport located in the city of Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan... |
Built in 1946, Custer Airport is located on the former M-130. It is a very small and seldom used airport. There are no commercial or passenger flights departing from or arriving at Custer Airport. There is one paved runway used by small personal airplanes. There is also a small aviation school on the site. All air services in the area are primarily through the Metro Airport Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport , usually called Detroit Metro Airport, Metro Airport locally, or simply DTW, is a major international airport covering in Romulus, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It is Michigan's busiest airport.... in Wayne County Wayne County, Michigan -History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern... . |
Notable natives and residents
- Frankie BiggzFrankie BiggzFrancisco Andres Lucio , better known by his stage name Frankie Biggz, is an American record producer, singer-songwriter, musician and DJ....
(b. Francisco Andres Lucio, 1973), record producer, singer-songwriter, musician and DJ. - Vic BradenVic Braden-Biography:Braden was one of eight children born to Victor and Mildred Braden ; both were natives of Claiborne County, Tennessee....
(b. 1929), former tennis champion and coach. - Christie BrinkleyChristie BrinkleyChristie Brinkley is an American model and actress best known for her three consecutive appearances on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in the late 1970s and early 1980s, for her long-running contract with CoverGirl, the longest ever of any model in history, and for her marriage...
(b. 1954), model, born in Monroe. - Robert K. BrownRobert K. BrownLieutenant Colonel Robert K. Brown is a combat correspondent, investigative journalist, and founder/editor/publisher of Soldier of Fortune magazine , a pro-gun, pro-military magazine which reports on various armed confrontations around the world, as well as on new weapons and other military...
(b. 1932), combat correspondent, investigative journalist, and founder/editor/publisher of Soldier of Fortune magazine. - Horace Thompson CarpenterHorace Thompson CarpenterHorace Thompson Carpenter, an illustrator, artist and art writer of the late 19th and early 20th century United States, was born in 1857 in Monroe, Michigan, and died in 1947 in Bala , Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.-Education:...
(1857–1947), artist and art critic/historian. - Isaac P. ChristiancyIsaac P. ChristiancyIsaac Peckham Christiancy was Chief Justice of the Michigan State Supreme Court and U.S. Senator from the state of Michigan....
(1812–1890), former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. - Ken W. Clawson (1936–1999), Deputy Director of Communications for President Richard Nixon during Watergate scandal.
- Oliver H. P. Cowdery (1806–1850), important figure in founding of the Mormon church, lived in Monroe.
- Boston CusterBoston CusterBoston Custer was the youngest brother of U.S. Army General George Armstrong Custer and two-time Medal of Honor recipient Captain Thomas Custer...
(1848–1876), younger brother of George Custer, lived in Monroe, killed at Battle of Little Big Horn. - Elizabeth Bacon CusterElizabeth Bacon CusterElizabeth Bacon Custer was the wife of General George Armstrong Custer. After his death, she became an outspoken advocate for her husband's legacy through her popular books and lectures...
(1842–1933), wife of General Custer, born in Monroe. - George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
(1839–1876), world-famous warrior, lived much of his early life in Monroe, killed also at Little Big Horn. - Robert S. Duncanson (1821–1872), first professional African-American artist.
- Elisha Peyre Ferry (1825–1895), first Governor of the U.S. State of Washington.
- Carl FordCarl FordCarl W. Ford Jr. is an American from Arkansas. As Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, he was head the Bureau of Intelligence and Research in the United States State Department from 2001 until 2003, reporting directly to the Secretary of State, Colin Powell.-Biography:Carl...
(b. 1980), American football player. - Louis Florent Gillet (1813–1892) and Teresa Maxis (1810–1892), co-founders of the order of Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM).
- Don GonyeaDon GonyeaDon Gonyea is an American journalist. He currently serves as the White House correspondent for National Public Radio's All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, and Talk of the Nation programs....
(b. 1956), White House correspondent for National Public Radio. - George F. Heath, founder of the American Numismatic Association.
- Ernest IngersollErnest IngersollErnest Ingersoll was a renowned American naturalist, writer and explorer.A native of Monroe, Michigan, Ingersoll studied for a time at Oberlin College and afterward at Harvard University, where he was a pupil of Louis Agassiz...
(1852–1946), environmentalist and naturalist. - Mary Harris "Mother" Jones (1837–1930), union organizer, lived in Monroe.
- John E. Joseph (b. 1956), author and professor at University of Edinburgh.
- Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. Shoemaker, inventors of La-Z-Boy chair.
- Karen KochKaren KochKaren Koch [pronounced "Cook"] was an American ice hockey goaltender for the Marquette Iron Rangers during the 1969-70 season. She signed a contract for $40 per game which made her the first professional female hockey player in North America...
(b. 1951), world's first professional female ice hockey player. - Stephen H. Langdon (1876–1937), Assyriologist and professor at Oxford University.
- Charles LanmanCharles LanmanCharles Lanman was an author, government official, artist, librarian, and explorer.-Early life and education:Charles Lanman was born at Monroe, Michigan, on June 14, 1819, the son of Charles James Lanman, and the grandson of United States Senator James Lanman...
(1819–1895), author, artist and US government official. - Frances Mallon, Nun in the convent of the Immaculate Heart of Mary under the name of Sister Catherine Frances.whose metastatic mammary adenocarcinomaAdenocarcinomaAdenocarcinoma is a cancer of an epithelium that originates in glandular tissue. Epithelial tissue includes, but is not limited to, the surface layer of skin, glands and a variety of other tissue that lines the cavities and organs of the body. Epithelium can be derived embryologically from...
was adapted as the MCF-7 cell line, greatly aiding breast cancer research. Her name is unknown to the vast majority of cancer researchers, died in 1970. Her cells were the source of much of current knowledge about breast cancer.. - Robert McClellandRobert McClelland (American politician)Robert McClelland was a U.S. statesman, serving as U.S. Representative from Michigan, the ninth Governor of Michigan, and United States Secretary of the Interior.-Early life in Pennsylvania:...
(1807–1880), prominent Michigan politician. - Charles S. McIntyre and August F. Meyer, founders of Monroe Auto Equipment.
- Bronco McKartBronco McKartBronco Banyon McKart is a professional boxer in the super welterweight division, and is best known for fighting, and losing, three times against Winky Wright....
(b. 1971), former World Boxing Organization champion. - Elizabeth McWebb (1904–2004), author of the Little Brown Bear book series.
- J. Sterling Morton (1832–1902), prominent conservationist, lived in Monroe from 1834–1854.
- Fannie Ellsworth Stone Newberry (1848–1942), author, best known for stories for girls, especially The Wrestler of Philippi (1896).
- Roy ParmeleeRoy ParmeleeLe Roy Earl Parmelee , was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals.-External links:...
(1907–1981), professional baseball player, pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1929–1939. - Hermann Pinkus, (1905–1985), world renowned dermatologist (as was his father, Felix Pinkus (1868–1947), who died in Monroe).
- Kaye Lani Rae RafkoKaye Lani Rae RafkoKaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson is the winner of the 1988 Miss America Pageant. She is from Monroe, Michigan where a street is now named for her....
(b. 1963), Miss America 1988. - Henry Armstrong ReedHenry Armstrong ReedHenry Armstrong Reed was the nephew of George Armstrong Custer, Thomas Custer, and Boston Custer. Although not an official soldier, he was killed along with them at the Battle of the Little Bighorn at the age of 18....
(1858–1876), nephew of George Custer, lived in Monroe, killed at Little Big Horn. - Paul W. SmithPaul W. SmithPaul W. Smith is the morning drive-time host at Detroit, Michigan's WJR radio. As a clear-channel station on 760 AM, WJR can be heard throughout the Midwest, and Smith's program is known throughout the region...
, WJR morning host. - Vern Sneider (1916–1981), novelist most famous for Teahouse of the August Moon.
- Ryan Sontag (b. 1985), current pitcher for the Boise Hawks minor league baseball team.
- Lt Col Matt Urban (1919–1995), most decorated combat soldier of WWII.
Sister cities
Monroe, Michigan has only one official sister city: HofuHofu, Yamaguchi
is a city located in Yamaguchi, Japan.-History:Hōfu means "the capital of Suō Province".The eastern part of Yamaguchi prefecture was formerly called Suō Province.The city was founded on August 25, 1936...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
since 1993