Sans Souci Island

Sans Souci was established in 1897 as a private summer retreat on the Cedar River. There were never more than twenty houses along the east side of the 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 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 paid 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. Frequent and intense floods made life challenging, and the 2008 flood badly damaged most of the houses, leading residents to accept a FEMA buyout plan.

Waterloo, Iowa · United States