Waterloo, Louisiana facts for kids
Waterloo was once a small town located in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, in the United States. It was found on the west bank of the Mississippi River, right where the False River oxbow begins. The town started around 1820 and quickly became a busy place. It was a key spot for sending out important crops like cotton and sugar cane grown in the Pointe Coupee area.
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What Happened to Waterloo?
Why Did Waterloo Disappear?
To protect itself from the frequent floods of the mighty Mississippi River, Waterloo was surrounded by protective walls called levees. There was a large levee built by the state behind the town. The community also had a smaller levee right by the river's edge.
However, in 1884, a huge flood caused both of these levees to break. This flood severely damaged Waterloo. It also harmed smaller nearby communities like Anchor and Cook's Landing. What the powerful river didn't destroy, fires did in the mid-1890s. Sadly, nothing is left today to show that the town ever existed.
Where Did People Go After the Flood?
Most families who lived in Waterloo moved to New Roads. This town is just a few miles west on False River and is the main town of the parish.
How Are the Old Towns Remembered Today?
Even though Waterloo, Anchor, and Cook's Landing are gone, their names live on. New neighborhoods built between 1968 and 2007 have streets named after these old communities. It's also common for people living in these new homes to find old items. They might uncover pieces from the original towns when they dig in their yards. Today, about 144 homes are in this area, with an estimated population of 332 people.
