OUR HISTORY
Harbor dredging completed
Construction of a dock, crane, and terminal building is completed along the turning basin.
The motorship Vire of the French Line is the first foreign-flagged vessel to call on the Port in many years.
The Port stored over 10,000 Renault Cars per year during the 1960s. The cars were bound for international markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The Port was the winter layup destination for many vessels of the Pittsburgh Steamship fleet.
Potential
For many years, the Port of Monroe was not defined by its activity, but rather its potential.
DTE Monroe Power Plant begins operation
First stator delivery
The Port handled the original generator stator for the Fermi nuclear plant.
The sale of 163 acres of Port-owned land to The North Star Steel Company is approved.
North Star Steel opens
The ultra-modern mini mill begins producing special bar quality steel. Today the mill is operated by Gerdau.
The 770-foot St. Clair of the American Steamship Company becomes the largest vessel to use the Port’s turning basin in September 1981.
The C. Reiss Coal Company begins operating a bulk storage and handling facility at the Port, receiving shipments of coal and lumber.
The old laker Sharon spent several seasons laid up in Monroe and was towed to the scrapyard.
70th Anniversary
The Cuyahoga called on the port to deliver cargo to Hickman, Williams & Company.
The Port was taken over by a new regime who sought to capitalize on the potential of the Port.
Gypsum Journey
Key to putting the Port back on the map was a partnership between the Port of Monroe and DTE Energy to manage the power plant’s output of synthetic gypsum which had previously been trucked to a landfill.
Additional investment in Monroe required the rehabilitation of the long-dormant riverfront.
New logo
Riverfront dock construction
A new berth was built along the riverfront. This was the State of Michigan’s first investment in a commercial port.
Riverfront dock opens
Flagship
One of the constants in Monroe has been the presence of the historic Great Lakes Towing Company. The tug Georgia is currently stationed at the Port of Monroe. This tug, built in 1897, is the oldest operating tugboat in the world.
Second stator delivery
In a historic move, the Port handled a new generator stator for the Fermi nuclear plant.
The Port of Monroe continues to capitalize on its potential in unique ways that support our community and the Great Lakes maritime industry.
We are the Biggest Little Port.
We are Michigan’s Gateway Port.
We are the Mariner’s Port.
