Monterey no longer a city

What was once a bustling river city in Owen County is no more.

The City of Monterey has officially been dissolved due to the lack of individuals willing to serve as mayor or on its city council.

“They didn’t have a city council,” said Judge-Executive Todd Woodyard. “No one wanted to run for office so there was no one taking care of the business for Monterey.”

As a result, the Owen County Fiscal Court is taking over what was Monterey city property, Woodyard confirmed Monday morning.

Woodyard assured the residents of Monterey they won’t lack for services.

“I was raised up right outside of Monterey,” said Woodyard, who said he once served as a member of the community’s fire department. “I have a lot of history there and we’re going to make sure they’re taken care of.”

Woodyard said the transition has already begun.

“The parts we assumed so far, and there might be more coming, is a couple of lots owned by the city,” Woodyard said. “We’ll keep those mowed and maintained. There’s a park with a playground, and we’ll keep that maintained and we’re adding their roads to our roads list, so we’ll be maintaining their roads and keeping them clean in the wintertime.”

Woodyard said the volunteer fire department in Monterey will continue to function.

The fiscal court on May 7 is scheduled for a second reading on a proposed budget amendment during which it is expected to absorb about $47,000 from funds on account for the now-defunct city.

Local historian Bonnie Strassell said the mark Monterey leaves on Owen County will remain indelible.

“Though no longer classified as a town, Monterey, which long ago was wrested out of the wilderness with plows, axes and the dreams of hundreds of folks looking for a place to call home, will continue to leave an indelible imprint upon the pages of Owen County history, inexorably binding us to our past,” Strassell said.

“It has been said the history of a community contributes to its personality and character, and historic preservation provides a link to the roots of the community and preserves its rich heritage.

“Soon, one of Owen County’s oldest and most historic towns will be dissolved; and the City of Monterey, once thriving with steamboats, hotels, businesses, doctors, churches and a school, will only be remembered in the annals of local history.

“About 1805 two entrepreneur brothers established a log trading post in the Monterey area; and soon the rich, fertile land beckoned others to settle and build a community.

“About 1820, the town of Monterey (originally called Williamsburg) was established and in 1845, the establishment of the town was confirmed by The Kentucky Legislature.

“Who recalls stories of Monterey riverboat captain Sam Sanders who ran blockades during the Civil War, or tales of the bustling Monterey riverboat landing where farmers would wait in line for hours to send their produce and livestock to markets downriver?

“Can anyone recall narratives from Monterey old-timers who described the tragic Monterey floods of 1883 1913 and 1937 when folks lost homes and belongings, but whose stalwart determination helped rebuild the town?

“From 1880 to 1910, Monterey was a tobacco marketing center, and its warehouses were packed with local tobacco ready to be shipped to market.

“These same warehouses served as stages for plays performed by actors from showboats which made yearly stops at Monterey.

“Monterey boasted a croquet club and years ago two Monterey hotels hosted patrons from all over the United States.

“Community ice cream socials, moonlight fetes, school box suppers, boat rides and ice skating provided unforgettable memories for young and old alike, and these memories were preserved in letters and diaries to be shared with future generations.”