**Story written by WMOI/WRAM Intern Grace Simpson**
Monmouth is remembered for a rich history centered on agriculture and agricultural business, such as plow factories, pork packing, and a successful mail order business. The area that eventually became Monmouth was part of a military pact where 3 ½ million acres were set aside after the War of 1812 to pay veterans. Many of the veterans were from the east coast and did not want to travel to the Midwest to receive their allotted 16 acres, government agents went and purchased the land. As for how the name of Monmouth came to be, Monmouth College Editor and Historian Jeff Rankin has the story:
Rankin also spoke about Monmouth College, which was established in 1853 as a private Presbyterian school that would help the community grow. The Fighting Scots mascot came in 1927 from Herald Herman, college alumni who wanted to capitalize on the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterians. Monmouth College is the first college to have this mascot.
