History of Monona 

Monona’s Origins

Originally settled on by the Ho-Chunk People, what is now Monona served as not only home for the Ho-Chunk, but also a trading post and meeting ground for many area tribes. Tribes from as far away as Michigan and Minnesota journeyed to Monona to engage in trade, diplomacy, marriage, and celebrations.

For centuries, the Ho-Chunk People lived, farmed, raised families, and buried their dead in what today is called Monona. Their indelible mark can still be seen today through the Ho-Chunk effigy mounds. The Mounds or Moš’ok were built during ceremonial and burial rituals to represent the worldview and religious beliefs of the Ho-Chunk people. Effigy mounds were so named because many were built in the forms of birds and animals, mammals, humans, and other forms. The mounds are like the earth and stone monuments around the world inspired by deep faith and beliefs. Built primarily from 650-1200, the Moš’ok serve as a way for the Ho-Chunk of today to connect with their ancestors. They also serve as a reminder to those of us not of the Tribe that there was a vibrant community here filled with proud People, long before there was a town called Monona.

Incorporation as a village

Originally part of the Town of Blooming Grove, Monona was incorporated as a village on August 29, 1938, in the back of Ernie’s Trading Post (now Monona Motors), when area residents grew frustrated by the lack of city services they received from Blooming Grove. Previous to incorporation, the area had consisted mainly of farmland and summer homes. During the Prohibition years, there were a number of speakeasies, off-book gambling parlors, and houses of ill repute in the area between Broadway and Bridge Road. In fact, it was said if you were looking for a night out, you could pay a taxi driver a quarter in downtown Madison and ask to be dropped at the Black Bridge in Monona, where a quiet night was unheard of.

After incorporation, the village developed many public services including police and fire protection, street maintenance, and the provision of sewer and water utilities. During the 1950s, the village grew from 2,544 to 8,178. This was the largest percentage increase (231%) of any community in the state during this decade.

This population increase necessitated expanding the village facilities and services. In 1963, the village built a community center and adjacent swimming pool near the intersection of Nichols Road and Healy Lane. In 1967, the village built a public library at the corner of Nichols and Schluter Roads. After Monona changed to city status in 1969, a City Hall was built across from the library on Nichols Road. This building housed all city operations (including the fire and police departments).