A few weeks back I hit the open road with Teresa and harvested the town signs of Monroe County.

Here are some facts about Monroe County:

+ Population is 7,577 making it the 87th most populous county in Iowa. Putting it behind Decatur County and above Adair County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Albia.
+ Originally named Kishkekosh County after the Meskwaki Chief. Renamed for James Monroe, 5th President of the United States.
+ Site of Buxton, the largest town with a majority black population in the early 20th century.
+ Major highways are US-34, IA-5, and IA-137.
+ Adjacent counties are Marion, Mahaska, Wapello, Appanoose, and Lucas.
+ Population peaked in 1910 at 25,429.

The Monroe County Courthouse is gorgeous:

The Monroe County Courthouse in Albia, Iowa.

The Monroe County Freedom Rock is located in Albia, Iowa.

With Monroe County completed, this is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

55 counties completed. 55.6% of the Cyclone State conquered!

There are 5 incorporated towns in Monroe County. However, Eddyville is barely in Monroe County and is mostly in Mahaska County and Wapello County, so we will cover it at a later date. Moravia is also ever so slightly in Monroe County, but 99.9% of it is in Appanoose County. So we will also cover it at a later date. That leaves Monroe County with only 3 towns.

Here are the town signs of Monroe County:

Albia, Iowa
ALBIA
SINCE 1846
Population: 3,721 (-45)

Lovilia, Iowa
Lovilia
Established 1853
Population: 472 (-66)

Melrose, Iowa
Welcome to Melrose
Iowa’s Little Ireland
Population: 112 (-2)

Georgetown, Iowa – Unincorporated
WELCOME TO GEORGETOWN

I don’t even think this one is open to discussion. The monorail sales man of US-34 got Albia. Lovilia is also snoozer. Meanwhile, Melrose brings the heat! I loved the town of Melrose. Not only does it have a great sign, they have a monument in their town park for their 1937 high school basketball team that won the state championship that they claim was the best high school team in Iowa history. Although I think the Ames High team with Harrison Barnes and Doug McDermott might have something to say about that. They also have their own blarney stone. That makes two Iowa towns that I know of that have their own blarney stone.

Melrose – Best in Show – Monroe County

Melrose also had a few alternate signs:

Melrose – Alternate

Melrose – Alternate

Melrose – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will end up in Mahaska County.