A Busy Stop in Monroe, LA

Our Stay in Monroe, LA

Packed Days with Monroe Moments

After we arrived in Monroe, we checked into our comfortable Red Roof Inn hotel and quickly went to the grocery store to stock up on essentials.

Monroe started as a French settlement called “Prairie de Canots” (“Prairie of the Canoes”). Under the Spanish flag, Fort Miro, a defense fort, was built, and the city got the same name. After the Louisiana Purchase, Louisiana became part of the United States and the 18th state a few years later. With the arrival of the steamboat “James Monroe,” the city was renamed Monroe in honor of President Monroe. Since the 19th century, the city has become an important industrial and commerce center for cotton, lumber, and natural gas. Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines also started here. Today, Monroe is still a significant economic hub for northeastern Louisiana.

Stepping Back in Time!

While wandering through downtown, Monrie’s varied history comes alive. The beautiful buildings remind us of a rich past. The Art Deco Francis Hotel is reused as a senior living facility. The historic J.S. Bloch Building, a saloon in its heyday, houses the Cotton Restaurant today. The oldest public building is the old clerk’s office, built in the early 1800s by Fort Miro’s founder.

Our journey also took us to the twin sister, Downtown West Monroe, known as “Antique Alley.” In the 1980ties, the local community restored the downtown’s original character and maintained the district’s charm. Today, this Cotton Port Historic District is a designated National Register Historic District, with well-preserved antique shops, boutiques, and art galleries in charming historic buildings.

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Four days later, it was time to say goodbye to Monroe. Despite planning a relaxing stay, our days became filled with daily visits and activities. The Red Roof’s convenient location offered a surprising benefit. Though the road lacked sidewalks, the light traffic made managing my daily step goal easy.

On my last walk, I was surprised to be asked, “Are you okay, ma’am’?” My reply, “Just getting my daily steps in!” was met with a friendly, “Ah, exercising, good for you!”

After I returned to the hotel, we packed our last items, and just a few minutes before check-out, we hit the road for Hot Springs, Arkansas.

A Busy Stop in Monroe, LA

Our Stay in Monroe, LA

Packed Days with Monroe Moments

Stepping Back in Time!

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