Columbia in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Columbia/Waterloo Road Whistle Post
(Southbound)
| | Railroad Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Thomas Smith, December 11, 2025
1. Columbia / Waterloo Road Whistle Post Marker
Whistle posts were placed about a quarter mile from a grade crossing. Their purpose was to alert the engineer of an upcoming road crossing. Upon seeing a whistle post the engineer would begin blowing the train's whistle to warn oncoming vehicles of the approaching train. This is the southbound whistle post for the original road to Waterloo, now a private drive off of Gall Rd.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 38° 26.294′ N, 90° 11.42′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is on Maple Hill Lane 0.1 miles Mary Hill Place, on the left when traveling north. Behind Dollar General. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 816 S Main St, Columbia IL 62236, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Corporation Line Sign (within shouting distance of this marker); South Meter Whistle Stop (within shouting distance of this marker); Schmidt Beer Cave (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rohm House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Whiteside Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Shoemaker School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eichmuller-Rau Building (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Photographed by Thomas Smith, December 11, 2025
2. Columbia / Waterloo Road Whistle Post Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 25, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
