Historical Marker
The Bison
Historical marker location:
100 South Main Street, Waterloo, Illinois
( Marker is on West Mill Street east of South Main Street, on the right when traveling east.)
Marker installed: 2014
The Chicago River was once so polluted that it caught on fire several times in the mid-20th century. The river was so polluted with chemicals and sewage that it was almost devoid of life. Today, the river has been cleaned up and is a popular spot for recreational activities like kayaking and boat tours.