MONROE COUNTY
County Administration
106 E. First Street
Monroe 888-354-5500
www.co.monroe.mi.us
Chamber of Commerce
106 W. Front Street
Monroe 734-242-3366
https://www.monroeinfo.com/
Often called the “gateway to Michigan,” Monroe County is the most southeastern of the state’s counties. Rich in historical heritage, this area is ideally situated between the major metropolitan centers of Detroit and Ann Arbor in Michigan as well as Toledo, Ohio. Creating a pleasing blend of urban and rural surroundings, the county has developed outstanding transportation facilities that include highways, interstates, airports, rail lines, and a bustling port.
The River Raisin bisects the county north and south, flowing into Lake Erie, and fertile plains soil has been the determining factor in making agriculture a leading industry in Monroe County. The area has also attracted research and development centers, manufacturing facilities, and many smaller employers. The popularity of Cabela’s, touted as “the world’s foremost outfitter,” has boosted Dundee and Monroe Counties to the pinnacle of Michigan’s tourism traffic. The outdoor retailer attracts millions of visitors annually to its destination store with a “theme park” atmosphere.
Services
Monroe County operates a large public school system that includes the largest elementary school in the state. A number of outstanding private schools add to the educational options. Higher education is available close to home at Monroe County Community College as well as a degree-completion center of Siena Heights College. Students of all ages have the advantage of several college and university campuses that are located within a reasonable driving distance from Monroe County communities in Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Newcomers can look forward to comprehensive, state-of-the-art healthcare services anchored by Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe. In addition to a complete range of specialties that include coronary intensive care, 24-hour emergency service, neurodiagnostics, and rehabilitation, the hospital offers a wide variety of auxiliary services and community education programs. Service centers include a dialysis center, a nursing center, and an outpatient surgery center.
Lifestyle
As one of Michigan’s oldest communities, historic treasures are a part of Monroe County’s considerable appeal to visitors and new residents. The natural resources that first drew settlers to this area — Lake Erie, the River Raisin, and the bounty associated with these bodies of water — still attract growth and expansion. From sailing regattas on Lake Erie to bike trails, camping areas, and world-class fishing, the recreational opportunities in this region are superb. The “Walleye Capital of the World” welcomes anglers to fish the “Sweetest Freshwater Sea,” a description offered by outdoor writer Mark Hicks. Boasting more than 50 miles of shoreline, the western basin of Lake Erie is one of the world’s most popular areas for walleye.
Monroe County claims many other superlatives in Michigan, including the state’s “Golf Capital.” More than two dozen courses provide a challenge for players from novice through professional. The area is equally well known for its colorful fairs, festivals, and special events. Complementing the largest county fair in Michigan are community celebrations that span the four seasons. Active civic and social groups add to the quality of life, giving newcomers the opportunity to feel immediate at home.
The cultural arts in Monroe County are anchored by active local groups as well as the renowned River Raisin Center for the Arts. Located in a former theatre in historic downtown Monroe, RRCA draws thousands of patrons from southeastern Michigan and northwestern Ohio to this community landmark. The center hosts international and regional talent from a wide range of performing arts disciplines. It also provides educational programs that include a dance academy, youth theatre, and summer theatre arts camp. With its small-town friendliness and exceptional quality of life, Monroe County is truly a home for all reasons.
Ash Township, Berlin Township, Exeter Township
Ash Twp Hall
734-654-6992
https://ashtownship.org/
Berlin Twp Hall
734-586-2187
http://berlinchartertwp.com/
Exeter Twp Hall
734-587-2100
https://www.exetertwp.com/
Chamber of Commerce
734-242-3366
https://www.monroeinfo.com/
Encompassing the communities of Newport and South Rockwood as well as Carlton Village, the townships of Ash, Berlin, and Exeter are primarily agricultural. Crops of vegetables, straw or hay are common sights along scenic country roads. Carlton Village provides a branch of the Monroe County Library System, while Berlin Township features the recreational attraction of Pointe Mouillee State Game Area for outdoor adventure and recreation. Schools and churches play an important role in drawing together friends and family in this rural environment, organizing a number of social events and local festivals. Single-family homes are available throughout the region in a variety of architectural styles and sizes. Although the area is growing, major subdivisions have yet to be developed.
Bedford Township, Whiteford Township
Bedford Twp Hall
734-847-6791
www.bedfordmi.org
Whiteford Twp Hall
734-856-5383
http://www.whitefordtownship.org/
Chamber of Commerce
734-242-3366
https://www.monroeinfo.com/
Ideally situated just minutes from the shores of Lake Erie, panoramic Bedford Township offers a location near the world’s largest walleye and perch producing lake. Within a short drive from home, residents can access several downhill ski resorts as well as collegiate and professional sports stadiums. While regional shopping centers are just minutes away, this area provides a wealth of farm-fresh produce from the fields and orchards that dot the region. Whiteford Township is characterized as agricultural. However, the unincorporated community Temperance in Bedford Township boasts a growing population and serves as an urban center for the area. Close proximity to Toledo, Ohio, has encouraged the growth of limited manufacturing and industrial activity. An easy drive to the Ottawa Lake area and colorful local celebrations like the Bedford Community Days add to the quality of life.
Dundee Village, Dundee Township, Petersburg, Summerfield Township
Dundee Village Hall
734-529-3430
www.dundeevillage.net
Dundee Twp Hall
734-529-2650
http://www.dundeetownship.info/
Petersburg City Hall
734-279-1210
https://www.petersburg-mi.com/
Summerfield Twp Hall
734-279-1214
https://www.summerfieldtownship.org/
Chamber of Commerce
734-242-3366
https://www.monroeinfo.com/
The small Village of Dundee serves as a major tourist attraction for Monroe County, as well as a delightful community for residents of the rural townships surrounding it. The world’s foremost outfitters, Cabela’s, offers a destination store for the entire family with a 48-foot mountain, spectacular aquarium, and museum quality displays of wild animals. The Old Mill Museum allows visitors to step back in time with three floors of exhibits that chronicle local and regional history. Displays cover the Ford Village industries, 19th century agricultural and small-town living, and Native American life on the Macon Reserve. Dundee also provides several parks that include a soccer field, a senior center, and library. Summerfield Township and the City of Petersburg jointly support the Summerfield-Petersburg Branch Library operated by the Monroe County Library System.
Luna Pier, Erie Township, Ida Township, LaSalle Township
Luna Pier City Hall
734-848-6495
http://cityoflunapier.com
Erie Twp Hall
734-848-5915
www.erietownship.com
Ida Twp Hall
734-269-3045
https://www.idatownship.org/
LaSalle Twp Hall
734-241-4344
https://lasalletwpmi.com/
Chamber of Commerce
734-242-3366
https://www.monroeinfo.com/
The small resort city of Luna Pier is situated along the shores of Lake Erie, approximately six miles from the Ohio border. Because of the town’s natural charm and close proximity to Ohio, it serves primarily as a bedroom community for commuters into the greater Toledo area. Luna Pier offers a sandy beach with a half-mile long pier shaped as a crescent that stretches out into expansive Lake Erie. Residents and visitors favor the beach area for walking, fishing, feeding the ducks and seagulls, or just enjoying the fresh lake air. The Luna Pier area first developed as a resort community in the early 1900s but did not incorporate as a city until 1963. The townships that surround Luna Pier have remained rural in character, adding a scenic backdrop of orchards, farmland, and panoramic country homesites.
Milan, Milan Township, London Township
Milan City Hall
734-439-1501
https://milanmich.org/
Milan Twp Hall
734-439-1707
https://www.milantownship.org/
London Twp Hall
734-439-1974
http://londontwp.org/
Chamber of Commerce
734-439-7932
https://milanchamber.org/
Stretching between Monroe and Washtenaw Counties, Milan blends small-town pride with strong tradition of commitment to education and community. Tree-lined neighborhoods, an active business district, and a spirit of cooperation and friendliness are the hallmarks of this area. The Milan Civic Center is home to the city government, a senior and community center, and the public library. Recreation programs and facilities include sports fields, picnic shelters, playgrounds, game areas, jogging trails, model airplane flying field, show arena, nature habitats, tot-lot, and biking paths. The city is actively preserving historic treasures such as the 1888 Queen Anne Style Hack House Museum, the old fire station, and the vintage community house. The surrounding townships expand the options for well-kept older homes, new construction, beautiful subdivisions, and country home sites in a rural atmosphere.
Monroe City, Monroe Township, Frenchtown Township, Raisinville Township
Monroe City Hall
734-243-0700
https://www.monroemi.gov/
Monroe Twp Hall
734-241-5501
https://www.monroechartertownship.org/
Frenchtown Twp Hall
734-242-5800
https://frenchtowntownship.org/
Raisinville Twp Hall
734-269-2506
https://www.raisinville.org/
Chamber of Commerce
734-242-3366
https://www.monroeinfo.com/
Serving as the county seat, the City of Monroe stands as the hub of education, culture, and recreational facilities. Attractions include the Navarre-Anderson Trading Post, Monroe County Historical Museum, Campbell Learning Resource Center Gallery, and the River Raisin Center for the Arts, and an extremely active YMCA. Monroe Community College boasts the Monroe Sports Complex and ice rink and performing arts productions. Sterling State Park on Lake Erie offers swimming, boating, fishing areas, and wildlife viewing. Bird watching is popular near the lagoons and marshes. Charming bungalows tend to dominate the home selection in the heart of town, although the surrounding townships provide a selection of home sites and subdivisions with a rural flavor. Frenchtown Square Mall provides expanded shopping opportunities to area residents.
