Monroe County Courthouse

Monroe County, IL

Monroe County, located in historic Southwestern Illinois, is home to approximately 31,000 residents.  Blending urban style with a rural location, Monroe County boasts a high quality style of living plus charm, character, and a graceful historic setting.  The Illinois Weekend Getaway Guide names Monroe County as a suggested stop in one of the 18 tours outlined.  Take a ride along the historic River Road, which runs adjacent to the Great Mississippi River, and stop at the Peterstown House, Waterloo Winery, and Historic Maeystown. 

With its fertile soil and pleasant climate, the county has traditionally centered on agriculture, with an emphasis in corn, soybeans, and wheat.  Fruits and vegetables are grown locally and are sold seasonally in local stores and roadside stands.  Within minutes of St. Louis and other surrounding cities, county residents also commute to employment throughout the region. 

Monroe County YMCA

Monroe County features a wide variety of small and large cities, towns, and villages including Waterloo, Columbia, Valmeyer, Hecker, and Maeystown.  Smaller communities include Renault, Burksville, Burksville Station, Tipton, Madonnaville, Monroe City, New Hanover, Fults, Wartburg, Fountain, and Foster Pond. 

Waterloo, IL

Approximately 9,400 people are currently calling Waterloo, IL home.  Located just minutes from St. Louis, MO, Waterloo is a town of historic value and urban convenience.  The town was founded by Germans in 1818, and many of its buildings and citizens still reflect the heritage left over by its German settlers.  Waterloo has been honored six times by Reader’s Digest for its Sister Cities program with Porta Westfalica in West Germany.

Waterloo City Hall

There is plenty to do in Waterloo, from local shops and fine dining to live entertainment.  Take a stroll down Historic Main Street  and you’ll find plenty of antique shops, fine dining, casual restaurants, and local stores.  The Monroe County Courthouse is located in the town square, with a bandstand where the Waterloo Municipal Band plays for free every Tuesday evening during the summer.  

Local businesses continue to thrive and have been an important part of the economic stability of the community.  Some locally owned retailers include JV’s Downtown Bar & Grill, Gallagher’s Restaurant, Tina’s Tea Room, plus various local shops.

Waterloo is growing every day.  National Retailers include:  Super Wal-Mart, Rural King, Schnucks, Gliks, Fashion Bug, Radioshack, Dollar General, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Hardees, Taco Bell, KFC, Imos, Subway, Arbys, and many more. 

Acorns Golf Course in Waterloo

Over 230 acres of parks and nearby recreational areas offer fishing, caving, biking, nature trails and other activities.  A public pool is open from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm during the summer and is located directly next to Koeningsmark Park, which features a tennis court, basketball court, and playground.  Konarcik Park is located right outside of Waterloo and includes 60 acres of open and forested land plus one lake.  Off Lakeview Drive is Lakeview Park, comprised of about 100 acres with a walking trail and three large lakes that are open to fishing. 

With its Historic atmosphere combined with today’s living style, Waterloo, IL has something for everyone.  The tight-knit community and small town charm is what makes Waterloo so easy for everyone to call home.

Columbia, IL

Nestled in the shadow of the Gateway Arch, Columbia, IL is a mere 12 miles from downtown St. Louis.  Columbia is located in northern Monroe County on the beautiful Mississippi River bluffs.  Founded in 1859 by the Germans, this quiet bedroom community of over 9,000 people is steadily growing.  Since the completion of Interstate 255 in 1991, Columbia is only minutes away from practically anywhere in the metropolitan area.

Columbia Middle School

Although most of the surrounding area is primarily used for agricultural purposes, Columbia is rapidly changing its rustic character.  Many long-time city dwellers are relocating to the more peaceful and convenient community of Columbia.  Commercial development is eagerly following the arrival of new, largely upscale housing.  The community’s retail, service and industrial base is expanding because of its convenient location and available real estate.

Columbia is a charming small town that is growing every day.  There are two local grocery stores, a variety of fine dining and casual restaurants, McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, Quiznos, Imos, Dollar General, Ace Hardware, Radioshack, and many more retail shops.

Columbia City Hall

One of the strong assets of Columbia is the thriving downtown area comprising of a number of local merchants and retailers.  This is part of the character and charm of the close-knit community.

Plenty of activities abound in Columbia, or you can take a short drive over to St. Louis.  South St. Louis County is only ten minutes away from Columbia, and offers a variety of attractions.

Columbia, IL is perfect for the small town folk or the big city dweller.  Enchanting small town atmosphere and convenience of big city life come together to bring you one of best towns in the Greater Metropolitan Area.

Hecker, IL

Hecker, IL

The picturesque Village of Hecker is located on the eastern tip of Monroe County.  Formally known as Freedom, Hecker has been a town since 1895, although the first home was built here in 1849. 

Surrounded by fertile Illinois farm ground, Hecker is primarily the base for agricultural use.  Most residents in Hecker commute to other areas for employment.  The community, like other towns and villages in Monroe County, has been growing steadily in recent years.

Valmeyer, IL

Located eight miles west of Waterloo, IL, sits the new Village of Valmeyer.  Destroyed by the Great Flood of 1993, Valmeyer was forced to relocate from its original site in the Mississippi River bottom to about two miles east and 400 feet higher.  With the help of Federal Funding, as well as state, local, and private funding, the village was built from scratch on a 500 acre tract of land.  Many of the residents of the old village chose to relocate to the new village as well. 

Valmeyer, IL

In 1996, the community’s new school opened with a little over 400 grade school and high school students enrolled.  New homes, churches, and businesses are popping up all around Valmeyer.  The community is actively seeking new residents and businesses, and while it is primarily agricultural based, that too may change in the coming years. 

The rebuilding of Valmeyer outside of the flood plain is part of a federal government effort to reduce claims against the federally funded insurance program by getting residents to move from flood-prone areas.  Valmeyer’s rebuilding is being held as an example for the rest of the nation, and has been documented on national and international media, as well as the Nova program and a front-page article in the New York Times.

Bridge in Maeystown

Maeystown, IL

Located in the hills of Southern IL, Maeystown, IL is where a mere 150 residents call home.  Founded in 1852, Maeystown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.  Since then, this quiet town has become a popular tourist destination to visitors in the area.

While its population is small, Maeystown offers many activities and events that draw in crowds from neighboring communities.  The town hosts Fastnacht, a pancake and sausage dinner held the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Fruhlingfest, a spring antique and garden show, Oktoberfest, an art and crafts fair, and German Christmas.

Becky and Brad work very closely with their clients to ensure that all their needs are met.

Making Your Move Easier

When it comes to making a move in Monroe County, IL - Waterloo, Columbia and surrounding communities, it just makes sense to turn to a real estate professional team who cares about your needs and will go the extra mile to meet them.

As real estate professionals, Becky Vogt and Brad Krueger have made it their passion to know everything they can about relocating to, from or within the Waterloo and Columbia areas. Those who have worked with Becky and Brad appreciate knowing the purchase of their new home is in the hands of such capable and trustworthy real estate agents.

To order the following complimentary relocation guide, just check the box to the left of the title and click "Send Me" at the bottom. You will then be prompted to enter your mailing information. Becky and Brad will mail you the Waterloo and Columbia guide shortly after receiving your request.