Waterloo

Waterloo sits along the Cedar River and serves as the seat of Black Hawk County in northeastern Iowa. Streets run through residential blocks, former factory sites and commercial districts that spread on both sides of the water.

The first settlers arrived in the mid-1840s and built near the eastern riverbank, where mills began operating. After World War Two industry grew, but closures of large employers in the 1980s caused a drop in residents.

The name came about in 1851, linking a small river settlement to a Belgian battlefield through the influence of European immigrants. Today the river corridor and parks draw families who walk, fish and gather for local festivals throughout the warm months.

The airport offers connections to Chicago and other cities, while the highway is reachable within a few minutes. Visitors on foot find shaded paths along the river and well-kept green spaces in residential areas.

The collection of Haitian art at the local center ranks among the largest outside Haiti. Visitors find paintings, sculptures and craft pieces that are rarely seen in such concentration elsewhere.

Location: Black Hawk County

Elevation above the sea: 269 m

Website: http://ci.waterloo.ia.us

GPS coordinates: 42.49244,-92.34616

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:00