Blackhawk County

Find UNI, bike trails and more

By B.J. Smith

Gently rolling timberlands along the Cedar River valley give way to some of the richest farmland in the world here in Black Hawk County. This is also the home of the fourth largest metropolitan area in Iowa, anchored by the cities of Cedar Falls and Waterloo.

Visitors may be pleasantly surprised to discover what some county residents consider the best kept secret in the Upper Midwest: More than 105 miles of bicycle trails. Some follow the river and wind through numerous parks and recreation areas as well as the cities. The secret is out.

Black Hawk County is better known for its many historic sites, which include the Grout Museum (named for its founder, Waterloo native Henry Grout) and the Grout Museum District. The Five Sullivan Brothers are commemorated here, honored for their service and sacrifice in World War II. Among the many other museums and attractions are the International Wrestling Institute and Museum, the Ice House Museum and the UNI Museums.

County residents and visitors also enjoy a great variety of sports and cultural activities, many of them linked to the presence in Cedar Falls of the University of Northern Iowa and its Panthers athletic teams. The university is well known for its fine teacher education and accounting departments, among others.

The Waterloo Bucks baseball team, numerous softball diamonds and leagues, and an ample assortment of golf courses provide lots of opportunities for recreation in the summer, while the Waterloo Black Hawks hockey team and skating at Young Arena are among the many choices for winter entertainment and recreation.

John Deere, the world’s largest marketer of farm equipment, has a factory in Waterloo. Other major employers include Bertch, Omega Cabinetry

and the university.

Sources: Black Hawk County Conservation Board, Cedar Falls Visitors & Tourism Bureau, City of Waterloo.

Cities in Black Hawk County

Cedar Falls pop. 36145
Dunkerton pop. 750
Elk Run Heights pop. 1052
Evansdale pop. 4526
Gilbertville pop. 767
Hudson pop. 2117
Janesville pop. 829
La Porte City pop. 2321
Raymond pop. 537
Waukee pop. 68747