Join us on a journey through the history of the town of Monroe, the inspiration for Monroe's at Route 46®.

Farming Defines Monroe and an Era
Monroe’s celebrates Florida farming history by working with local farmers and purveyors to find the freshest and highest quality produce and meats available in the Central Florida region. Farming has a long-standing past in the Sanford area. From sugarcane to celery groves, agriculture dominated the area’s economy until the early 1950s. Known for its fertile soil, artisan wells, and shipping railroads, Sanford was a budding farming community and was nicknamed “Celery City.” Monroe’s highlights the heritage of local farming by offering classic recipes, such as Sugar Mill Shrimp & Scallops.

Innovations in Transportation
Also commemorating the bygone era of the town of Monroe (now Lake Monroe and Sanford), our restaurant takes guests on a journey back in time where trains, cars, and steamboats traveled across the St. Johns River, bringing commerce to this region in the early 20th century.

Ferries, railroads, and bridges were instrumental in shipping goods in and out of the Central Florida region, while connecting North and South Florida. The first ferry and railroad crossings were built as early as the 1880s. From 1905 to 1910, the Harden Ferry was the main mode of transport for visitors and cargo traveling across Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River. It was the first self-propelled ferry powered by a steam engine and driven by a paddle wheel.

Ferries, Trains, Boats, and Automobiles
The ferry landing became known as “Harden’s Landing,” and remained known as this well after the Harden Ferry had gone. The Monroe-Deland Ferry soon replaced Harden, and it held up to three automobiles at one time. By 1916, the first automobile bridge was built. And by 1960, the I-4 bridge would serve as the main thoroughfare between Orlando and Daytona.

The Beginning of a New Era
Before the lakefront highway was built into Sanford, the town of Monroe played an influential role in the late 1800s to the 1940s by serving as a gateway for transportation with its infamous river, railroad, and paved roads. Monroe began as Monroe Station on the Orange Belt Railroads, later becoming Lake Monroe. However, locals always referred to it simply as “Monroe.” By 1958, I-4 would bypass the town of Monroe and little would be left. Monroe never officially incorporated, and unfortunately, got lost in the shuffle of growth to the development of governments and corporations.

Today...
Monroe’s at Route 46 exemplifies the integrity and historical significance the town of Monroe brought to the community. Take a journey back at Monroe’s, where guests enjoy a sophisticated casual dining experience without the coat and tie.

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