Tour Book of the City of Monmouth from 1890. The book describes the city in this manner:

"MONMOUTH, County Seat of Warren County, Illinois, is a city of about 7,000 inhabitants; has four railroads, gas and electric ligth [sic] companies, city water works, and a great variety of factories established, and many others negotiating with the Business Men's Association for location here. MONMOUTH is noted for its college, schools, and churches; and its shady streets have long given it the name of "THE MAPLE CITY".