Welcome to Monroe

Sitting in the rolling hills of Green County, Monroe is where historic charm meets small-town energy right on the square. At the Eugene Hotel you can wake up steps from artisan cheese shops, boutiques, and the lively atmosphere of the courthouse square. Whether you’re here for festivals, food, or a quiet getaway, everything worth experiencing is just outside your door.


Origins and Construction

The Eugene Hotel was originally constructed in 1924 by Leland C. White, and sits centrally located on the square in Monroe, Wisconsin. The Eugene Hotel project was a significant undertaking for the community, a three-story building that would set a new bar for hospitality in Green County. When the Eugene Hotel opened its doors on August 14, 1925, it was the talk of the town. Heralded as "unprecedented" by the Evening Times, four-fifths of Monroe's population turned out to marvel at the new structure, with visitors arriving in a seemingly endless stream to admire the handsome new building. 

A Landmark of Its Era

Described as "a flood of light," the hotel's artistic room designs and cutting-edge amenities, including private plumbing, private telephones, and the most elaborate electrical system in Monroe at the time, set a new standard for the region. With 46 rooms and a construction cost of $125,000, the Eugene Hotel quickly became a cornerstone of the community and a gathering place filled with stories that resonate with locals even today. The lobby, complete with a uniformed bellman at the foot of the stairs, was photographed and preserved in the Pictorial History of Monroe, Wisconsin by the Green County Historical Society, a testament to just how proud the community was of this remarkable building.

A Social and Cultural Hub

For decades, the Eugene Hotel was more than a place to spend the night — it was the heart of Monroe's social life. The hotel bar was remembered by longtime Monroe residents as a plush establishment with cloth napkins and "silverware that weighed a ton." It drew travelers, business people, and community members alike, serving as the backdrop for countless celebrations, deals, and memorable evenings on the square.

Closing and the Decades Between

In 1981, the Eugene Hotel, Monroe's last operating hotel, closed its doors. The building continued to serve the community in other capacities over the years, housing retail tenants, but the upper floors fell into disuse. The underutilized building was purchased in 2015 when brothers Chris and Tyler Soukup recognized the historic potential of the property.

A New Chapter Begins

Now, more than a century after its grand opening, the Eugene Hotel is being re-imagined as a vibrant centerpiece for the community once again. Plans call for 25 guest rooms, fewer rooms than the original but perfectly suited for Monroe's market, and the hotel is positioned to make a significant economic impact for the region. Unlike cookie-cutter developments, the Eugene Hotel will have its own unique feel, a project infused with local voice, support, and investment. The restoration honors the building's century of stories while bringing the amenities and design sensibility today's traveler expects. Monroe is getting its hotel back, and this time, it's built to last another hundred years.

A hallway with two dark wooden doors labeled 209 and 208, a central vertical wall light, and a modern ceiling fixture.
A receptionist stands at a dark wooden desk in a modern hotel lobby, near a staircase and art-lined walls.
A modern bedroom featuring a brown paneled headboard, a floating wood nightstand with a small plant, and a white bed.
A modern bedroom with navy blue walls, a bed featuring white linens, wood panels, and a brown leather bench.

Your Monroe Escape Awaits

Reserve your stay and experience timeless elegance in the heart of the city.

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