Monrovia was established in 1887,it is the fourth oldest general law city in Los Angeles County.In 1841, California Governor Juan Alvarad gave Rancho Azusa de Duarte to Andres Duarte, a Mexican soldier, and he gave Rancho Santa Anita to Hugo Reid, a naturalized Mexican citizen of American birth. Monrovia is made of parts of these two ranchos

Historical Homes

A Victorian known as the Monroe Cottage, 225 Monroe Place, was built in 1884 for William N. Monroe as a temporary home until his permanent home, "The Oaks," was completed in 1885.

The home later became the residence for William's brother, Campbell O. Monroe and his family. C.O. Monroe served as a City Trustee (now called City Council members) from 1892-1897. The house is a 2,599 square foot residence with a second story that was added in 1887.

There are three bedrooms, two baths and the house still has the original outhouse attached. This Queen Anne style residence is capped by a hipped roof with several gabled dormers. The exterior has wide clapboard siding with corner boards. Roof elements include shallow boxed eaves, carved brackets and a plain entablature. A front porch roof also forms a second story balcony featuring a balustrade of turned rails.