Monroe Historical Society

Konnight’s Tavern During the mid to late 1800’s this building served as a bar and a general store. Fights would erupt on weekends between English and Irish miners who came from opposite sides of the town to indulge in the spirits. In 1897, the building was renovated to become the Erie Hotel, but it closed after only 2 years and was converted to a café known as Dix’s till 1907. A local businessman by the name of Shorty Stevenson purchased the property in the early 1900’s and changed the café’ to a bar, and then later, back to a café again. By the late 1940’s it was to become a meat and grocery market. The building served as a restaurant after that into the 1960’s.

The Community House Originally built in 1874 by Martin Konnight, a man prominent in Monroe’s early history, the building was called Konnight Hall and served as an entertainment center. It was later to become the Monroe Opera House until it was purchased by a group of citizens and converted to a community house in the 1920’s. There was a four-lane bowling alley in the basement and a library on the first floor. The town nurse was also located here and this is where you would... go to get your required vaccinations. The second floor housed a gymnasium and a stage. Local basketball games were held here which prompted the installation of thick padding around the building columns which happened to fall mid court. Large community dinners were also held on this floor as well as stage productions. The third floor contained rental apartments. The front yard of the community house had a bandstand, and next to it a large pine tree which became the Village’s Christmas tree each season. Little known to most, and hanging from beneath the main entrance stairs, was the bell from the freighter SS Monroe which served in WWII. Sadly, building was destroyed by fire in 1990. See more

The Brazenhead Pub This popular pub was once a two story building. Prior to having its second floor removed, it had housed the New York Hotel near the turn of the century. After this major renovation, it opened as Mack’s Lunch, then later Liner’s and eventually Chet’s Bar and Grill (Chet Darling and his wife Fran). Few people know that Monroe was once a popular stomping ground of the legendary Babe Ruth. In the 1930’s this pub, then Liner’s, was one of the Babe’s favorite watering holes. Many colorful stories of the Babe and his ante-rage of team mates can be recounted from within the walls of this unassuming building.

The Colonial Theater Directly across the street from DeAnglis Hall is the Colonial Theater Building. This was the first movie theater to be constructed in Monroe. It opened on July 31st in 1922 with a showing of the silent movie The Boat starring Buster Keaton. In 1926 it was purchased by the Masonic Lodge. The 2nd floor was used as their meeting hall and the ground floor was leased to the theater. In 1929 the theater began exploring the possibilities of installing new... equipment that would allow the showing of a newfangled invention called talkies. A year later the talking movie Welcome Danger with Harold Lloyd premiered on Feb 14th. The showing of movies on Sundays was originally banned in Monroe until a referendum allowing it was overwhelmingly passed in 1934. With the newer air conditioned Monroe Theater around the corner, and features like Francis (the mule) joins the WACS and Killer Leopards, the Colonial Theater was finally forced to close on Oct. 10, 1954. The Masons sold the building in 2000.

Citizen's Bank The building next to the police station was constructed in the early 1900’s as Young’s Harness& Saddle Shop. In 1915 Citizen’s Bank of Monroe opened in this location , but moved to the present day location of M&T Bank less then a year later. The State Police once had their Monroe headquarters upstairs in this building.

The Brazenhead Pub This popular pub was once a two story building. Prior to having its second floor removed, it had housed the New York Hotel near the turn of the century. After this major renovation, it opened as Mack’s Lunch, then later Liner’s and eventually Chet’s Bar and Grill (Chet Darling and his wife Fran). Few people know that Monroe was once a popular stomping ground of the legendary Babe Ruth. In the 1930’s this pub, then Liner’s, was one of the Babe’s favorite watering holes. Many colorful stories of the Babe and his ante-rage of team mates can be recounted from within the walls of this unassuming building.

The Blacksmith’s Shops It is interesting to know that prior to the turn of the century, located where the Millpond Parkway now intersects Lake St., stood two of Monroe’s blacksmith shops. On opposite sides of the street were Utters Blacksmith and Fairchild’s Blacksmith, specializing in horse shoeing and carriage repair these shops operated from the mid to early 1900’s. Gaunt’s wagon shop was the end building. After the turn of the century and with the onset of the automobile, the shops were converted to automotive garages. Directly in line with the new proposed roadway, both buildings were torn down when the Millpond Parkway was constructed in 1932 to 35 by the Monroe Improvement association.

Konnight’s Tavern During the mid to late 1800’s this building served as a bar and a general store. Fights would erupt on weekends between English and Irish miners who came from opposite sides of the town to indulge in the spirits. In 1897, the building was renovated to become the Erie Hotel, but it closed after only 2 years and was converted to a café known as Dix’s till 1907. A local businessman by the name of Shorty Stevenson purchased the property in the early 1900’s and changed the café’ to a bar, and then later, back to a café again. By the late 1940’s it was to become a meat and grocery market. The building served as a restaurant after that into the 1960’s.

The Knight House Nicholas Knight bought the Smith’s grist mill in 1806. According to local tradition, his family lived in the little house across the street until a part of this house was built in 1811. During the 1800’s, the house was enlarged and renovated in the Greek Revival style. Porches became popular during the 19th century and were added, also. This house has remained in the Knight family since its construction until 2005 when it was sold.

The Monroe Historical Society would like to present our new logo to all our members and Facebook friends. We are very proud of this logo. As you can see it has the Train, the Reed & Conklin Building, the Lakes and the color yellow represent the Monroe Cheese Company. We would like to thank everyone that made this logo possible.

Some more information on C. S. Knight.

This memorial Day it's different from any that we have known, but one thing hasn't changed remembering all who gave their lives to keep this country free. Stay safe and healthy on this Memorial Day.

The 75th Anniversary V-E Day is celebrated in America and Britain May 8th, 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, otherwise known as Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. V-E Day commemorates the end of a conflict in which tens of millions of lives were lost and the course of history changed forever. In the world their are about 389,292 military men and women that are still alive. In New York their are about 20,251 that are alive. On May 8, 1945, both... Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the German military war machine during World War II. The eighth of May spelled the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms: In Prague, Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers, and the Germans considerably more; in Copenhagen and Oslo; at Karlshorst, near Berlin; in northern Latvia; on the Channel Island of Sarkthe German surrender was realized in a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany. See more

Who lies here? The celebrities of yesteryear, right beneath your feet Written by: Steven Kerneklian Do a little digging and you’ll be amazed who might just turn up in a cemetery. Buried throughout our towns and villages, in cemeteries large and small, many interesting histories lay at rest, just waiting to be discovered. Here lie people who began lineages and ended them; who were heroic and steadfast throughout their life; who invented products and goods, entertained, and enl...Continue reading

A Quote from the 1st President of the United States. George Washington

To all our members and Facebook friends. We are thinking of you at this every trying time in our history. Please stay safe and take care of your selves. As with all of you we are waiting for the day when we can meet and return to our daily activities. Thank you, The Monroe Historical Society