Monroe Museum

Monroe's first drum & bugle corps (band) on the steps of the courthouse about 1890.

We need a pair of Vietnam-era combat boots. We plan to reopen later this summer and our Vietnam soldier is barefooted. If you have a pair you would be willing to donate or loan, please email me at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your help. Steve.

Trivia Time: Where was this gas station located? Hint: Building on the right gives it away.

Anyone remember the letters on top of the water tower?

A Memorial Day Ceremony honoring our Veterans at Walton County Veterans Memorial Park, 303 S. Hammond Drive, Monroe. Monday, May 31 at 11 AM. Vietnam Veteran, Al Stephens will speak.

This the third group of photos from the Chamber of Commerce. Your help in identifying people, places, and events would be appreciated.

Monroe Area High Class of 1964 playing at Pilot Park long before it was Pilot Park. Thanks to Judy J Adams for the photos.

Where was the photographer standing?

We need your help! Several months ago the Walton County Chamber of Commerce gave the Monroe Museum about 200 35mm slides. We have since digitized them and will be posting about 40 of the photos each Monday for the next four weeks. We ask for your input. Please, tell us names, locations, events, dates, and anything else you know about the pictures. Some subjects are self-evident and are presented just for your viewing. ... Thank you in advance for your help. Steve Brown, Monroe Museum Historian

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: GEN. GEORGE J. HEARN ARMORY DEDICATION. 23 May 1956 the National Guard Armory on Washington Street was dedicated. Twelve years later, in 1968 the Armory would be rededicated and named for Gen. George J. Hearn Jr. Gen. Hearn joined the National Guard in 1925 immediately after graduating from Monroe High School. He went on to serve for 43 years. He was on active duty in World War II and the Korean conflict. He was named Adjutant General of Georgia and served in that position during the administrations of 5 governors. In 1968 Gen. Hearn was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal of the National Guard Association of the United States.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Monroe Museum. Three of the businesses named in today's by-gone ads are still in business. Can you name them?

Consider a year-end gift to support the work of Monroe Museum. Your donation will help tell the story of Monroe and preserve important artifacts of our history. Monroe Museum P. O. Box 506 Monroe, GA 30655

MONDAY MORPH: WALTON TRADING COMPANY ENCORE Here is another look at one of our most popular MONDAY MORPHS posted two years ago. The Walton Trading Company was doing business as early as 1906 and as late as 1915, with John Jackson Nunnally as president. They sold buggies, wagons, and organs. The sign under the awning in the old photo says "Studebaker Wagons." Some of us may remember Harold Baccus's Studebaker dealership on West Spring Street, but he did not sell wagons. Walton... Trading was apparently 2 businesses. The Nunnally family had a heavy presence on this end of town. John J.'s son, W. H. owned the Nunnally Company across the street where Monroe Mechantile is today and the office building north of that was the Nunnally Building, followed by the Eulalia building named for W. H. Nunnally's wife. The opening to the south of the Walton Trading Company was called Arnold's Alley. Our thanks to @Reba Breedlove for sharing today's old picture with us. She found it in a pump organ that her grandmother had purchased at Walton Trading Company, many years ago. Steve Brown, Monroe Museum Historian

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from Monroe Museum!

Billy Underwood passed away this week and our community lost a valuable and highly respected Law Enforcement Officer. Billy devoted over 50 years to law enforcement in our town and county. The Monroe Police Department stated: "City of Monroe Police Department would like to honor former Chief Billy Underwood, who started with the department in 1967 to begin his law enforcement career. Between his service at Monroe Police Department, Walton County DA's Office and Walton County Sheriff's Office, Underwood served the citizens of Walton County for more than 50 years. We honor him, his family and his dedicated service." Billy's father, Johnny Underwood also served our community for many years as a police officer and police chief.

MONROE GOLF HISTORY The Monroe Golf & County Club was dedicated on December 3, 1958. However, in earlier times, 1920's and 30's, Monroe had some of the best golfers in the state. Bob Nowell and Marshall Pollock could, and did play competitive golf with the likes of Bob Jones and others. So, where did they practice. Well before the Monroe Golf & Country Club, we had... Breedlove's Pasture. ... In 1989, John Day Nunnally writing "The Day-Nunnally Family History' writes the following: "It was in the late 1920's when two of my cousins who lived in Monroe, Louie and Hughes Wall, introduced me to the game of golf. The place was called Breedlove's Pasture and it had sand greens, the sand was mixed with oil to make a smooth surface. Golf has been my lifelong pleasure." -Steve Brown

1973 Veterans' Day Parade

BUGGY ON BROAD STREET This happy couple cuddles in their buggy as Mr. C. M. Carnes takes their picture outside his home and studio at the corner of Broad and Washington. You can see the sign advertising his business and if you look closely on the ground to the left of the buggy, you can see the shadow of the staircase leading upstairs to the photography studio. The picture was probably made around 1910 to 1915 but we have no exact date. The Carnes home has been restored and maintained as Lee Phillips Malcom & Andy Malcom's Real Estate Office.

In 1952, 28 World War II veterans graduated from high school in Monroe, on the GI Bill. The photo includes dignitaries along with the grads. Steve Brown, Monroe Museum

MONDAY MORPH: ARNOLD-ADAMS HOME, ANOTHER LOOK Here is a closer look at a house we have morphed previously. TURN ON YOUR SPEAKERS.

Do you remember "Whitie", who once each year turned into "Pinkie"? Thanks to Mike Oakes for the obit. Steve.

Come out for the fun and support our fantastic downtown!

ALMANDS FUNERAL HOME GARAGE Almands Funeral home started business in 1898 in Social Circle. E. L. Almand Sr. was the founder of the company. Their location in Monroe changed over time finally occupying the John T. Robertson home, at the SW corner of Broad and Walton Streets in 1953. Today, this is the location of the employees parking lot for city hall. When the hearse garage was located as pictured in today's morph, the funeral home was in the Cotton Cafe, but that is another morph. Pictured in today's morph is Edward Almand Jr. who became president of Almands in 1959 and remained in that position until the company was sold in 1973. He stands beside a 1936 Cadillac LaSalle Hearse. Today's cover picture is one of Almand's first hearsts about 1900. Steve Brown, Monroe Museum

Please email information on veterans to: [email protected] by Friday, November 6th to have it included in our tribute on Veterans' Day, November 11th. Anyone you know who served is welcome. You can send more than one photo and as much information as you like.

I had a great visit today with the Matthew Talbot Chapter of the DAR. They asked me to present a program on the 5th District A&M School (sometimes referred to as Monroe A&M), once located at Walker Park. There were about 23 in attendance. I am looking forward to presenting a program next year on their namesake, Matthew Talbot. If your group would be interested in a program on any subject related to Monroe History, you can contact me at: [email protected]. Steve Brown, Monroe Museum Historian

Broad Street was the first street paved in Monroe. That took place in 1920. In the early days, if you wanted your street paved, you paid for it. The documents here, given to the Monroe Museum by Logan Propes, city administrator show an example of that system. In 1930 bonds were issued for the paving of Walton Street. The bonds had a face value of $512.75 and paid 6 percent interest. As I understand it, (and I am not totally clear on this) the residents of Walton Street paid into a fund that paid the bond holders. How much they paid may have been determined by the size of their lots or street frontage. Again, I am not sure. If you can add to our information and understanding please do so. The paving was from Broad Street to the end of the sidewalk. Walton Circle was still about 8 years away from existence. Steve Brown, Monroe Museum

MONDAY MORPH: THELMA CARNES ON BROAD STREET Something new, TURN ON YOUR VOLUME! Tell me what you think. I can take it.... Steve Brown, Museum Historian

Our friend Hoyt Studdard has many stories to tell, and he enjoys telling them almost as much as I enjoy hearing them. Here is a very short one (30 secs.) from 2015, about an invincible goldfish and a cold winter night. Steve Brown