Waterloo in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Porta Westfalica
Waterloo's Sister City
Photographed By Thomas Smith, March 31, 2023
1. Porta Westfalica Marker
Waterloo's partnership with its Sister City, Porta Westfalica, West Germany, was formally organized on March 31, 1981. The conception took actually place on October 2, 1980, when a small group of people, led by the genealogical research done by Vera Kohlmeier, concluded the heritage of two thirds of the citizens of Monroe County was linked to Porta Westfalica, a town in the district of Minden-Lübbecke, Germany.
Helmut Macke of Porta Westfalica and Vera Kohlmeier are the founders of the Sister Cities partnership. In 1982, the City Council of Porta Westfalica officially recognized the Sister City partnership.
The Sister Cities - Portaloo was organized to promote cultural understanding and friendship between citizens of the United States and citizens of West Germany; to create an informed public opinion among the citizens of both countries; and to sponsor exchange programs, celebrations, travel, and other events to further these purposes.
The first cultural exchange took place in July 1981 when the 70-member brass band (Bläserkreis) from Porta Westfalica spent 10 days giving concerts in Waterloo, Belleville, St. Louis, MO and surrounding communities. Since that time, groups from each city have visited each other.
Also with this visit began an annual event, the Porta Westfalica Festival.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Peace. A significant historical date for this entry is October 2, 1980.
Location. 38° 20.202′ N, 90° 9.021′ W. Marker is in Waterloo, Illinois, in Monroe County. Marker is on North Main Street south of First Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker hangs on the North side of Frederico's Restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 N Main St, Waterloo IL 62298, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bellefontaine Spring & House (here, next to this marker); Legend Tells How Waterloo Got Its Name (here, next to this marker); The Peterstown House (here, next to this marker); Early Politicians (here, next to this marker); Lincoln Whig Campaign (here, next to this marker); Mill Street Gas Explosions (here, next to this marker); Early Waterloo Churches (here, next to this marker); Early Government (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterloo.
Photographed By Thomas Smith, March 31, 2023
2. Porta Westfalica Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2023, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2023, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
