Important Events in Waterloo’s Early Development (1851-1905):

• In 1851, Waterloo was granted its first post office. At that time it came to be known as "Waterloo" instead of Prairie Rapids Crossing.
• In 1854, Waterloo's town plat was officially filed. The town plat included a map where streets were planned. From that time on the city grew quickly.
• In 1855 the first flour mill was built in Waterloo.
• In 1859 the first bridge was erected across the Cedar.
• In 1861 the first passenger train came through Waterloo.
• In 1867, George P. Beck purchased a woolen mill on the corner of 4th and Bridge St.
• In 1867, Waterloo’s second flour mill was built.
• In 1877 the Burnham Opera House opened on the corner of Park and Commercial Streets.
• In 1879 the first electric plant was built.
• 1in 1879, George Lichty started a retail grocery store.
• In 1884 the Beck-Nauman & Watts Company was started. It produced windows and doors.
• In 1891, Rath Packing Company was started in Waterloo.
• In 1895, Louis Cass established the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Rapid Transit Railway.
• In 1899, George B. Miller purchased the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company.
• In 1901, William Galloway started the Wilson-Galloway Company which produced farm equipment.
• In 1902, W.W. Marsh started the Iowa Dairy Separator Company.
• In 1903 the Litchfield Manufacturing Company moved to Waterloo. It produced farm equipment.
• In 1904 the Canfield Lumber Company started.
• In 1905, William Welty patented a new fountain pen.