Just 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis, Missouri, the City of Waterloo, Illinois, may not have much land area, but it more than makes up for it in interesting history and small-town charm. Dating back to the 18th century, the French became the first Europeans to settle the area. They originally named their settlement “La Belle Fontaine.” It soon changed to Bellefontaine, meaning “Beautiful Spring,” after a spring was located a mile south of Waterloo. In 1816, Emery Peters Rogers opened the first permanent store, mill, and quarry. A neighborhood surrounding his store, Peterstown, split the area. As time passed, an intense rivalry grew between the two halves of the region. Legend has it that the hatred continued to flare on both sides until 1818 when an Irishman named Charles Carroll moved to the area. He built his house on one side of the creek and his barn on the other and proclaimed, “It won’t be Bellefontaine, and it won’t be Peterstown, but begorra, I’ll give ye’s both your Waterloo.” Waterloo became the county seat of Monroe County in 1825, received its charter as a town in 1849, and officially became a city in 1888. In 1978, the cities’ historic district was acknowledged and placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Renovation of the nearly 200 year old Peterson House was completed in 2020.
There’s plenty to do in modern Waterloo. If you’re a history buff, the History Museum of Monroe County has permanent and rotating exhibits that showcase agriculture, local commerce, transportation, settlement of the region, memorabilia from several wars, and more. Much of the museums’ collection was gifted by Colonel Edd and Violet Kueker, who also called the town home. The museum opened in 2008 to preserve, maintain, and display the Kueker Collection and other items for future generations.
In 1980, Waterloo formed a Sister Cities partnership with Porta Westfalica, West Germany, and since the two cities formed the relationship, the US city has been honored with six coveted Readers Digest Awards. During the summer, the city holds an annual “Porta Westfalica Fest” to honor its sister city. There are plenty of other annual events such as the Municipal Band Summer Series. Every Tuesday of the summer, the Waterloo Municipal Band plays on the city courthouse lawn. In late 2021, the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce announced they would be holding the new Downtown Concert Series, featuring a different band on the second Sunday of each month from 4:30-7:30 p.m. There is also the Monroe County Fair and several public car shows that attract both local and visiting gearheads.
Following the musical theme, catch a local artists at the Schorr Lake Vineyards and Winery. Sip some grape or blackberry wine on the patio while catching come tunes and bring a picnic basket.
Waterloo is a small city with an even smaller-town feel to it, but the residents are not the only ones who love it. If you’re dealing with nuisance wildlife in Waterloo or the surrounding area, contact Veteran’s Pride Wildlife Control and let us get rid of the problem. With over 25 years of residential and commercial experience, we’re the one to call when critters are invading.
Contact us today to discuss our services and to receive an estimate.