What makes Waterloo sights so special is the unique mix of historical silence and the quiet drone of the road that leads you through Grant Township. I remember driving over the old railroad for the first time, which in 1850 connected the city with Chicago – a piece that today is hardly more than a rusty threshold in the field, but still makes the heart of every historian beat faster. The city itself was named after the famous battlefield in 1836, and while most visitors here just keep short to photograph the small cityscape, I find the old wooden houses on Main Street really charming, though a bit dusty.
A short trip by car over the I‐69, then a branch to the US‐30, takes you to the centre where you see the old town hall – a building that has more stories to tell than most guides ever dare. For those who prefer to arrive by train, a regional train stops in the nearby town of DeKalb, from there Waterloo can be reached with a short Uber route – no joke, that is actually the most convenient option.
When you stroll through the main street, you quickly notice that the true Waterloo sights are not in brochures, but in conversations with the locals who tell you about a coffee, why the annual autumn festival is the only one that really has something to offer.
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The first stop I always drive is that Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, which is just a short drive from Waterloo. The shiny bodies from the 1920s and 30s have something of a silent shout – I mean, who needs a modern smartphone if you can admire a duesenberg with handmade wooden steering wheel? Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field before the museum becomes the battlefield from parked SUVs. I remember, as a child, sneaking behind the scenes to hear the sound of the engine – a deep groll that tells more about the history of the region than any textbook.
A few miles further, right on the edge of Auburn, this is DeKalb County Historical Society Museum. Here, old maps, tools and a few pretty banging photos of people I can hardly imagine without their oversized hats. I once found an old coffee boiler that was supposed to be used by one of the first settlers – I didn't take it home because I don't think he can still cook coffee, but he gave me a good feeling that history is not just living in dusty books. Parking is a bit narrow, but a short walk through the small alleys of Auburn makes it up again.
If you have enough of dusty exhibits, the path leads over the Auburn Trail – a 4.5 miles long asphalted path connecting Waterloo and Auburn. I like to use it for morning runs because the route offers enough variety: a piece of field road, a short view of the St. Joseph River and then again city views. The trail is well marked, and parking at the beginning is practical because you simply turn off the car at the edge and take off. Once I've run out because I've been too deep into the passing cows, but that's only strengthening the charm.
The St. Joseph River itself is an underestimated jewel that slings through the landscape and is a magnet for both canoes and anglers. I rented a kayak there on a hot summer day, and I paddledled upstream until I almost reached the water of the nearby Garrett. The water is clear enough to see the ground, and the shore is lined with trees that offer a firework of red and yellow shades in autumn. There are several public accesses, and parking is usually free as long as you do not get to high season.
A short trip after Garrett to the Garrett Historical Museum, which is housed in an old railway building. The exhibition is small but crisp: old railway plans, tools from the Schmiedewerkstatt and a few photos from the annual Schützenfest parade. I once discovered an old railway car where a local artist has set up a miniature museum – a bit cheesy, but definitely a conversational material for the next pub tour.
For those who want to taste the real land life, the DeKalb County Fairgrounds a place you shouldn't overlook. During the annual County Fair, the site turns into a colorful mess of rumble, cattle shows and local food stands that offer more calories than a gym. Otherwise, the grounds are open all year round, and you can walk there, marvel at the old exhibition stands and maybe inhale a bit of nostalgia. Parking is enough, but on the main days you have to come early, otherwise you are standing in traffic between the carousels.
Last but not least a small secret tip: the Auburn Community Theatre. The historic building from the 1930s has not only an impressive façade, but also an interior that is revived by local acting groups and occasional indie film premieres. I once saw a piece that told more about the economic crisis of the 1930s than any documentation – and that with a portion of humour that made even the hardest critic laugh. Parking is right in front of the theatre, and a short walk through the old town of Auburn completes the evening.
Next time you're in the area, don't forget that Waterloo Attractions not only to be found in the city itself – the environment offers a colourful mix of automotive history, natural experiences and local culture that enthuses every curious traveler.
This guide invites you to explore with me a small but surprisingly charming spot Indiana – Waterloo, Grant Township. I have to admit, I only discovered the town because a friend has convinced me to a “authentic” dinner in the local pub, and since then I have some favorite places I want to share with you.
For me, the St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The building from the 1860s is not only a church house, but a real witness of time: the red bricks, the top bell tower profile and the artistic stained glass that dips the light into an almost sacral color play in summer. I once took part in a Sunday worship service – no joke, the community was so warm that I almost felt I was part of the story. Parking is usually a Klack at the Kirchplatz, except when the annual village festival takes place and then the small field behind the church becomes the battlefield for cars.
A short walk down the main road The Waterloo Public Library. This is not some library, but a converted, historical school building that now attracts with cosy reading tables, a small café corner and a mini exhibition on the history of the city. I once found an old city planning book that showed the original field routes – a real treasure for curious people. Parking is practically right in front of the door, but be warned: on Saturdays there is often a children's reading event, and then parents stack themselves like ants.
If you are looking for a place where locals really spend their spare time, then that is Waterloo Community Center Your goal. The center houses everything from yoga classes to bingo evenings, and I have experienced more than once an improvised jazz jam because a local musician simply unpacked the guitar. The entrance area has a small outdoor area with barbecue areas – perfect when you bring a picnic. Parking is a little tight, but this is part of the charm, and I have learned that a little patience is rewarded here.
A short detour to Waterloo Town Hall is also worth it. The red brick building from the early 20. The century is not only the administrative centre, but also a popular photo stop for Instagram-Aficionados. I have once witnessed a city council live there, how he debated on the new street lighting – a rare spectacle that shows that there is still real civic participation. Parking is right in front of the town hall, but on Friday night, when the weekly “Meet‐and-Greet” takes place, there can be a small traffic jam.
For those who like a little story with a pinch of horror, the Waterloo Cemetery A must. Between old gravestones from the time of civil war and newer family graves lies a quiet path that invites to think. I once discovered an old veteran-grabstone, whose inscription was almost faded, and then a young historian-friend who told me the story of the man – a real Aha-moment. The cemetery is well signposted, and parking is free at the small farm next to the entrance.
A little nature? The Mississinewa River sounds just outside the center and offers both anglers and kayaks a quiet place. I caught a few trouts there on a hot summer day, which proved to be surprisingly competitive – no joke, that was a real adrenalinkick. The access to the river is via a small wooden ridge on County Road 500 N, and parking is a simple field path that becomes a bit muddy in rain, but that belongs to the experience.
Last but not least, Waterloo Park do not forget, which I personally call the heart of the little place. The park has a playground, a baseball field and a small pavilion, under which open-air concerts often take place in the summer. I once experienced a spontaneous folk festival where the whole community came together to dance – a picture that remains in my memory for a long time. Parking is available around the park, but on weekends the field fills up quickly, so it's better to come early.
If you are looking for a compact overview, simply tap “Waterloo Sights” into your search engine – you will notice that these five places are the backbone of the small town, and I hope that my slightly cynical but honest impressions will help you discover the true Waterloo.
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