Arabut Ludlow Library (Monroe Chamber Office)

In 1903, the Monroe City Council established a Library Board, which wrote to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, hoping to receive some of the funds that Carnegie gifted to cities around the country to establish public libraries. Though Carnegie offered a grant, the City Council and local residents became divided over the location of the library. 

Local resident Lida Ludlow convinced her husband and his two brothers to match the Carnegie offer and establish a library named after her father-in-law, Arabut.  In 1904, Edwin Ludlow, in the name of the Ludlow family, gave $12,500 to the School District to build a library at 1505 9th Street. The Arabut Ludlow Memorial Library opened in May 1905 and served the community for over 90 years. 

When the library was relocated across the street into the former Monroe Clinic in 1993 – the building transitioned into office space – including the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  The building is open to the public during their business hours.