Monroe, County seat in northeastern Louisiana, United States.
Monroe is a county seat in northeastern Louisiana that extends along the banks of Bayou Desiard at roughly 22 meters above sea level. The settlement comprises residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and industrial areas that spread from the waterway into the flat terrain of the region.
The settlement began in 1785 as a military outpost named Fort Miro and served Spanish troops as a garrison along the waterway. In 1820, the place received its current name after the steamboat James Monroe docked there and the community developed new commercial ties.
The Monroe Civic Center serves as a venue for the annual Miss Louisiana pageant, drawing contestants from every corner of the state. Throughout the year, the building hosts concerts, shows, and community gatherings that shape the rhythm of local life.
The regional airport sits southwest of downtown and links the area with major transportation hubs across the country. Pecanland Mall offers numerous shops and restaurants and is easily reached via Interstate Highway 20.
Joseph A. Biedenharn founded the world's first crop-dusting service here in the early 1900s and experimented with airborne chemicals to fight insects on cotton fields. The city also marks the birthplace of Delta Air Lines, which started its operations in agricultural aviation.
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