Waterloo in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Bison
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 1, 2025
1. The Bison Marker
This statue pays homage to the buffalo, or bison which roamed the uplands of Monroe County thousands of years ago, trampling down prairie grasses, creating what became the Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trial. The trail was also used by Native Americans and was first mentioned in European settlers' writings in 1718. It later was used by early residents, traveling on foot, by horseback, stagecoach and wagons. Today, its path is closely mirrored by modern roads for motor vehicles. This statue, donated by Edmund E. and Violet L. Hartman Kueker, was placed here in 2014. More of their artifacts are displayed at the Monroe County History Museum.
Erected 2014 by Edmund E. and Violet L. Hartman Kueker.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1718.
Location. 38° 20.172′ N, 90° 8.952′ W. Marker is in Waterloo, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is on West Mill Street east of South Main Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the Monroe County Courthouse
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Brey Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Monroe County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Monroe County World War Veteran Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary Patriots of Monroe County, Illinois (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Stroh Building (about 300 feet away); The Ziebold Fountain / The Courthouse Cannon (about 300 feet away); Early Transportation (about 400 feet away); Mill Street Gas Explosions (about
December 8, 2019
2. The Bison Marker
September 27, 2019
3. Another view of the Bison statue
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2019. This page has been viewed 466 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on December 9, 2019. 3. submitted on December 5, 2019. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
