Waterloo

By Brandon J. Brockway

Waterloo started out like many other towns: as a small pioneer village located along the banks of the Cedar River. It must have been a breathtaking sight a beautiful river lined with red cedar trees, prairie grasses blowing in the breeze, and abundant wildlife. After winning the battle to become the county seat in 1855, Waterloo began to grow into the metropolis it is today. The popular slogan, Waterloo Way Wins, has proven true over the years, and one can feel a sense of pride while looking at the images in this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: May 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781439640838

Brandon J. Brockway

Written by Waterloo historian and native Brandon J. Brockway, this book shares a selection from his own personal collection. He is the former director of education and collections at the Cedar Falls Historical Society, former president of the Northeast Iowa Genealogical Society, and past member of the Waterloo Historic Preservation Commission. Brandon and his wife, Lisa, own and operate an antiques store in the heart of historic downtown Waterloo.

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INTRODUCTION

I am sure many of you have heard the old country and western song Where Will You Meet Your Waterloo?; perhaps this book will help you meet your Waterloo. This book is by no means a complete history of Waterloo, but it is a starting point for those of you who are curious enough to begin your quest of knowledge. Waterloo has been through so much, and this book is really just a glimpse into its past. For those of you who want to dig a little deeper, I suggest that you read Waterloo: A Pictorial History by Margaret Corwin and Helen Hoy. They wrote it in 1983, and it was very helpful for me in putting together this book.

Waterloo’s first famed settlers were George and Mary Hanna, who arrived in Waterloo in 1845, and they were later met by Charles and America Mullan and James Virden, who are also credited as being the first settlers of Waterloo. Even before the Hannas, Mullans, and Virdens, Frenchman Gervais Paul Somaneaux, a trapper for the American Fur Company, is recorded as being the first white man present in what is now Black Hawk County. The Sac and Fox Indians, who had laid claim to the land before any European ever arrived, met these early settlers. John Hartman, former publisher of the Waterloo Courier Newspaper, created a map that actually documented the locations of existing tribes and ancient burial mounds in Waterloo in the mid-1800s. Now, most of the areas documented on his map constitute the grounds of John Deere and the National Dairy Cattle Congress.

Soon after the first settlers had arrived in Waterloo (previously christened Prairie Rapids Crossing), the small town began to take advantage of what the Cedar River had to offer by building dams and mills. Early businesses started to spring up along the river, and before long, there were businesses to help the early pioneers care for their homes and families. Early businessmen, such as John Leavitt and Nelson Fancher (who opened Waterloo’s first general store in 1853), began to envision greater things for this small town. Before the city could grow any further, the Cedar Valley first sent away over 100 county volunteers to the battle cries of the Civil War in 1861.

Following the Civil War, there were two periods of rapid growth in the city of Waterloo. From 1895 to 1915, the population increased from 8,490 to 33,097, which was a 290 percent increase, and from 1925 to 1960, the population increased from 36,771 to 71,755. Between the years of 1895 to 1915,Waterloo also saw rapid growth in rail transportation, manufacturing, and wholesale operations. Businesses like the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company and the Rath Packing Company moved to Waterloo during this time period. Early entrepreneurs, such as John Froelich (who is credited for inventing the first gasoline tractor) and William Galloway, helped to stimulate this activity. The Illinois Central Railroad was also a major employer throughout more than half of the 20th century, which helped grow the city’s economy and boost the population.

Waterloo not only continues to grow today, but it has also started to be a little more reflective of its past in recent years. The Waterloo Historic Preservation Commission works to identify historic structures and monitor buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Once vacant storefronts in downtown Waterloo have come alive, as compared to how they looked in the 1980s, thanks to Main Street Waterloo and forward-looking individuals who have invested millions into the downtown area. Several larger projects are also coming to fruition, including the River Loop Expo and the new walks along the Cedar River. Although it is sometimes easy to sit idly back and criticize what has been done incorrectly in the past, it is important to remember that we still have a lot to be proud of, and we