History and images have been compiled from various sources including, among others, the 1987 National Register of Historic Places, Stack & Beasley's 1902 Sketches of Monroe and Union County, Union County Public Library (Patricia Poland, Genealogy & Local History Librarian), the Heritage Room Photo Collection, North Carolina Map Collection, Rootsweb - An Ancestry.com Community and Ancestry.com family histories.

Hotel Joffre 1918

 HOTEL JOFFRE 1919

"The Joffre Hotel, Incorporated: 100 Rooms of Union County Comfort" - 100 guests rooms, a large dining room, rates from $1.25-$2.00 per day. Dr. J.E. Ashcraft, president and H.T. Clarke, manager. (Patricia Polland, Heritage Room Collection, Union County Public Library)

 "On December 9, 1921, a banquet at Monroe's Hotel Joffre welcomed Marshal Ferdinand Foch, commander of Allied forces during World War I, in the only North Carolina stop on his nationwide victory tour. Foch was scheduled to dine in Charlotte, but the Southern Railway refused to pull his private railroad car from the Monroe yards of rival Seaboard Air Line, forcing Governor Cameron Morrison, Josephus Daniel and other dignitaries to travel to Monroe." - North Carolina Miscellany (UNC Library Blog)

Photo ID (l to r) - East balcony Union County Court House:

Ex Governor Walter Bickett; seated

Governor Cameron Morrison; standing

Marshall Ferdinand Foch; standing


NATIONAL REGISTER
Before the building was demolished in 1996, the National Register nomination recorded the Hotel Joffre Building at 301 N. Main Street:

"In 1911, the Monroe Journal began announcing plans by the Heath-Houston Realty Company to build a large new hotel building on the site of the old Houston building at the west side of the public square. However, it was not until 1917 that work was actually begun, by the letting of the contract to E.C. Ingram. The designer for the building is unknown, being described only as an architect [
Mr. O.D. Wheeler] from Charlotte. World War I delayed completion of the hotel, which was not opened until April 19, 1919. The name Hotel Joffre was given to the building in honor of the French World War I general Marshal Joffre.

"The first floor corner section of the building was constructed especially for the First National Bank, which moved into the building in January, 1918. One of the high points of the early 1920s in Monroe was the December 9, 1921 Hotel Joffre dinner given in honor of Marshal Foch, commander-in-chief of allied forces in World War I. The room layout of the hotel has been altered by the conversion of a number of rooms to apartments and the corner is no longer occupied by a bank.

"The main mass of the building is a five story, L-shaped section at the intersection of Main and Franklin streets. A three-story, rectangular wing follows the slope of Franklin Street down to the corner of Stewart Street. The street elevations of the building are faced with yellow tapestry brick trimmed with limestone. On Main Street the first floor is faced with ashlar limestone, while on Franklin the first floor is rusticated brick with limestone trim.

"The second through fourth floors of the hotel have vertical bays of paired four-over-one windows with relief spandrel panels between the floors and limestone keystones and corner blocks. The fifth floor window bays are aligned with those below, but have round-arched heads filled with fan-pattern limestone inserts. A projecting double architrave studded with rectangular blocks forms the cornice of the main block. From this cornice dagger-like stone pennants project downward at regular intervals. The parapet above the cornice is stepped at regular, but different intervals. Exterior fire escapes have been added at the northeast and southeast corners of the building, causing a number of windows to be filled in.

"At the corner of the first floor front elevation, the former First National Bank facade contains two broad piers between which engaged Tuscan columns. Over the entrance is a stone roundel foliate carving. The other two openings on this elevation, including the original central entrance to the hotel, have been replaced with aluminum and glass shopfronts.

"At the lower level of the rear side elevation are three wood-frame shopfronts. Above these are the dining room level, which has paired windows with round-arched fan transoms. A stone-pilastered side entrance leads into the side lobby, with a flight of steps up to the mezzanine in front of the dining room doors. The lobby and mezzanine, as well as the dining room, have green-tiled wainscoting with marble chair-rails and baseboards, patterned mosaic tile floors, ornate wrought iron railings and elaborate tin ceilings." (National Register)

1922-23 City Directory

Cover
Preface: A Few Facts about Monroe

Situated near the exact geographic center of the Carolinas—mid-way between the mountains and the sea, Monroe enjoys unique advantages as regards location. The Seaboard Air Line Railway gives direct connection with the ports of Wilmington and Norfolk and the main line from Richmond-Portmouth to Atlanta-Birmingham affords communication with these important points.

The climate is mild and temperate. It is unnecessary to go North in the summer or South in the winter to escapes extremes in temperatures, while the average rainfall of fifty inches is evenly distributed throughout the year. Geographic location, climate, and sanitary regulation combine to give Monroe an excellent health record.

Monroe claims more miles of paved streets than any city of equal size in either of the Carolinas and her municipal light and water systems give excellent service. The schools of the City have reached a point of efficiency equaled by few in the South, and the new High School building recently completed at a cost of over $100,000 is modern in every detail. The churches include Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and Lutheran, each of which has a thriving Sunday school and young people’s societies. The Ellen Fitzgerald Memorial Hospital built last year is as completely equipped as any institution of its kind in the State. The Hotel Joffre, a new five-story structure of white pressed brick, affords ample accommodations for the traveling public.

The merchants of Monroe draw business from a rich and fertile back country, easily reached by excellent roads radiating in all directions from the City. Cotton is the principal money crop, and “Monroe cotton” is known throughout the textile world for its fine texture and strength of staple. Corn, potatoes, small grain and forage crops, fruits and vegetables, live stock and poultry are also extensively grown—the bulk of this produce is being handled by the local market.

This directory shows the population of Monroe and its suburbs to be 7,725.

We invite you to investigate the advantages of Monroe before deciding upon your future home. For further information address The Chamber of Commerce, Monroe, North Carolina.

Mayor, J.C.M. Vann; Tax Collector, Jas. McNeely; Police Chief, J.W. Spoon; Fire Chief, G.B. Caldwell; Postmaster, Edwin C. Winchester

Monroe Telephone Exchange 1902

Stack & Beasley photo
"There are, perhaps, a larger percentage of telephone subscribers in Monroe than in any other town in N.C. This is due to the fine service this system gives and the moderate rates which they charge, $1 per month for residence, $1.50 for offices and $2 for business houses.

"The company was incorporated in 1898, and began business with only 28 phones. It now has 234 city subscribers, with connections with Charlotte, Wadesboro, Waxhaw, Marshville, Wingate, Polkton, Peachland, Lilesville, Rockingham, Morven, Matthews, Mt. Holly, Lincolnton, Gastonia, Concord, Osceola, Catawba, Edgemore, Chester, Rock Hill, Fort Mills, Lancaster, Kershaw, and with hundred of places in the county.

"The company adopts all the latest and improved apparatus, and its office is open all day and all night. In the office is a regulator and subscribers are furnished Washington time when they want it, and the office will call subscribers at any hour of the night to meet trains or for other purposes.

"The officers are: R.A. Morrow, president and general manager; J.D. McRae, vice-president; C.W. Bruner, secretary and treasurer; W.H. Norwood, superintendent; directors, Dr. J.M. Blair, R.A. Morrow, C.W. Bruner, J.R. English, Jas. H. Lee and J.D. McRae; operators, Miss Leola McColl, Miss Claire Ramsey, Miss Dora Aldridge; city collector, Miss Ola Bruner. The central office is located in the new Belk building, in quarters constructed for it." - Sketches of Monroe and Union County…Stack & Beasley 1902

St. Luke's Lutheran 1890

Lutheran Church - 205 E. Jefferson
Photo from Stack & Beasley's 1902book
1896 St. Luke's Lutheran School
Image from church website

St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized August 4, 1889, in Monroe, North Carolina. The following excerpts of history are from the church website.

August 4, 1889 - After meeting in the old courthouse, the following officers were elected: Rev. J.F. Moser, Pastor, Chairman; A.H. Crowell, Elder; Building Committee: C.B. Sikes, Deacon; A.M. Crowell, Deacon; J.H. Boyte, Secretary, Treasurer, Supt. of Sunday School.

The property for St. Luke’s was donated by A.H. Crowell and wife (grandparents of Mrs. John C. Sikes). The deed is registered in Union County, book number 21, page 679. October 13, 1889 - St. Luke’s congregation decided to unite with Morning Star and Emanuel Lutheran Church in sending a delegate to Synod. C.B. Sikes was the elected delegate, A.H. Crowell alternate.

December 8, 1889 - REV. J.F. MOSER and C.B. Sikes were appointed to consult with W.J. Boylen regarding organ purchase/rental and music book purchase pending congregational approval.

The first brick for the church at 205 E. Jefferson Street was laid on May 22, 1890 by T.P. Moseo of Catawba County. The subscription on the part of the members of the church was $1,075. The citizens of Monroe subscribed about $350. Nearly $500 were subscribed by Lutherans outside of Monroe. Mr. A.M. Crowell sent out 1,000 two-cent post cards asking for the small amount of just 25 cents. The cards dated June 4, 1890, stated, “We are weak in number and in money, but strong in the faith that God wants his church here in Monroe.” Mr. C.W. Simpson loaned $1.000 to the congregations. The cornerstone was laid on June 4, 1890.

By 1891 eighteen members were listed on the communicants’ roll, seven confirmations. On August 26, 1891, a resolution to finish the church provided the conference assumed present debt was approved. $5.00 out of the church treasury, and $5.00 out of the Sunday school fund for mission work, was also approved.

"I was born March 2, 1891, so I guess that makes me the oldest living member of St. Luke’s. My parents moved to Monroe when I was a child and we lived across from St. Luke’s. I was confirmed April 8, 1906. I sang in the choir and remembered our first choir robes were made from sheets." - Pearl Young

From 1910 to 1948, pastors lived in the parsonage at 205 E. Jefferson St. next to the church. From 1948 to 1955, this parsonage was rented while the congregation provided another residence for the pastor.

"Katie, three children and I moved to Monroe in February 1948. I opened my office for the general practice of medicine March 8, 1948. We first attended St. Luke’s while PASTOR LINEBERGER was pastor. I remember the pulpit committee, which I believe, included Jennings Boger, Roy Curry, and Henry Adams, went to Raleigh to talk with Rev. CLARENCE NORMAN. He had been a missionary in Japan until hostilities of World War ll began, at which time he and his family moved back to the States. The committee reported that PASTOR NORMAN was an older man with poor vision and had had cataract surgery, but they were impressed by his knowledge and dignity. We were just a small congregation on mission status, but PASTOR NORMAN accepted our call October l5, 1949. When the Jefferson Street church was demolished, the pipe organ was dismantled by professionals and stored until it could be reassembled in the new unit on Circle Drive. The pews were bought by a small church in the county. The beautiful stained glass windows were removed and sold or given to those who wanted them. The church bell (that we are still using) was removed from the bell tower by church members. I came by as Dr. P.L. Barringer, George Taylor, Fred Summerlin, Tom Maness, and others were letting this bell down from the tower with pulleys and ropes—a risky, dangerous job! Over the years, James Benton and George Young have prepared many excellent meals for the Easter sunrise service breakfast, as well as for various other church functions." - Dr. G.G. Oleen

January 14, 1962 was the last Sunday the congregation met in the original building for the 11:00 a. m. service until completion of the new building on Circle Drive. St. Luke’s met at the Monroe Recreation Center on Main Street for Sunday school and the 11:00 a.m. service. On February 11 a ground breaking service was held at the Circle Drive site. A cornerstone ceremony was held on April 15. Articles placed in the cornerstone were: a Holy Bible, list of all members and Sunday School members, list of all officers of the congregation, brochure of the building fund program, church bulletins, parish letter, brief history of the building program, autographs of members and friends, local papers which contain articles about St. Luke’s Church, The Lutheran, The N. C. Lutheran, story of John Glenn—an American astronaut, United Lutheran Church Women of St. Luke’s Year Book, pictures of the groundbreaking service, and a note from Mayor Fred Wilson of the city of Monroe.