Waterloo in Black Hawk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Sans Souci Island

Prairie Pathways - An Interpretive Journey

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 18, 2025

1. Sans Souci Island Marker

Inscription.
Living Without a Care
Sans Souci was established in 1897 as a private summer retreat on the Cedar River. There were never more than twenty houses located along the east side of island. It was home to the city's first golf course, the Waterloo Country Club, a nine hole, 2,472 yard course with a club house. After suffering through several floods, the club relocated to Prospect Park. A hotel, built at the south end of the island, received visitors by trolley, automobile, and boat.

The homes on Sans Souci were gradually improved for year round use. The private association did pay city taxes and received water, sewer, and other city services. It was annexed by Waterloo in 1948. In later years, the association purchased the entire island and established a wildlife refuge. The intensity and frequency of floods made life challenging. The 2008 flood badly damaged most of the houses and residents accepted a FEMA buyout plan.

Erected by Cedar Valley Trails.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 42° 30.694′ N,

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92° 21.953′ W. Marker is in Waterloo, Iowa, in Black Hawk County. It is on Sans Souci Drive north of Conger Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the entrance of the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Sans Souci Dr, Waterloo IA 50701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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 Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Waterloo River Lights Experience (approx. 1.8 miles away); West Side Story / Honoring Our Veterans (approx. 1.8 miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 1.8 miles away); USS Frank E. Evans DD754 (approx. 1.8 miles away); a different marker also named Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 4 miles away); Cedar Falls Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.1 miles

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 18, 2025

2. Sans Souci Island Marker

away); Clay Street Park (approx. 4.3 miles away); Overman Park (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterloo.

Also see . . .
1. Sans Souci Island on wikipedia. (Submitted on July 10, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Sans Souci Island. (Submitted on July 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 18, 2025

3. Sans Souci Island Marker

looking southeast at the Conger Street Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.