Monroe County is situated along the banks of the Mississippi River. It’s considered part of the St. Louis metropolitan area because its western edge is parallel to the Gateway Arch. In addition, a new highway and the Jefferson Barracks Bridge connect Illinois and Missouri, making Monroe County an attractive option for those seeking a mix of rural and bit-city living.
The county is named for James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. It was organized in 1816, and today has a population of 27,000. There are six towns in Monroe County: Columbia, Fults, Hecker, Maeystown, Renault, Valmeyer and Waterloo, the county seat.

The county is part of the Southwestern Illinois German Heritage Area and is also a French Colonial Heritage Region. Area attractions include golfing at Acorns Golf Links, Annbriar Golf Course and The Ridge Golf & Country Club, as well as natural wonders such as Mammouth Cave.

The area also has several wineries and historic sites. The French were the first to explore in the area about 1673, with the first permanent settlements established about 20 years later. The English, Irish and Germans later came to the region. In Waterloo, the Peterstown House was built in the 1830s, and was once a stagecoach stop along the 60-mile Kaskaskia Trail. The Bellefontaine House was restored as the site of the earliest settlement made by American colonists in Illinois.

Monroe County’s population is almost evenly distributed between the incorporated areas and the prairie lands. The local economy is sustained by agriculture and agribusiness, with corn, soybeans and wheat being the principal products. Fruits, vegetables and nursery stock are grown locally and sold at local stores and roadside stands during their harvest seasons.