Progress is the new word in Waterloo these days. This northeastern Iowa city, located on the banks of the picturesque Cedar River, is in the process of finishing up a complete facelift, transforming downtown into a brand new family adventure.
Already famous for being one of the State's foremost historic towns, Waterloo is introducing a number of redevelopment projects. Major among them is the River Renaissance development that will add a river walk, amphitheater, and art mall to its cultural attractions. Another new feature is Tech Works, which will host an agricultural tourism exhibition center, manufacturing mall, technology center, and a bio-product merchandise mart. These two new facilities will anchor an already thriving downtown that offers a variety of dining opportunities along with unique retail shopping.
Along the way, Waterloo continues to fashion the color green, the
deep kelly green of its most famous manufacturer, John Deere. The company's Waterloo Tractor Works attracts thousands of visitors each year to see how these world-renowned tractors are built.
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 Waterloo is nestled on the banks of the Cedar River and was originally known as Prairie Rapids Crossing. Traveling by wagon train with their families in 1845, George and Mary Hanna settled on the east bank of the Cedar River. A few years later, they were joined by the Virdens and the Mullans and, by 1851, Charles Mullan had secured enough petition signatures to garner a post office for the growing community. Mullan championed the cause for the name change to Waterloo, named in recognition of the battle in which Napoleon was defeated by British troops.
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