Colo in Story County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Colo Cabin Camp
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
1. Colo Cabin Camp Marker
The Colo Cabin Camp that preceded the Colo Motel began in 1928 with six cabins and grew over the next ten years to a total of twelve cabins. Cabin furnishings included a bed, a table, two wooden chairs, and a single light hanging from the ceiling. Sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels were handed to travelers when they checked in. None of the cabins had a toilet or shower, and only two were heated, using pot-bellied stoves that burned coal or cobs. The camp was open from early May into October.
Most of the cabins were demolished or removed by the time the large motel building was completed in 1947. Several years later, two surviving cabins were joined together and remodeled to make the nearby two-unit motel building. The only other remnant of the cabin camp is this building, which once housed the camp's laundry room and communal showers and toilets. The threshold inscriptions - "Ladies" and "Men" -- show where there once were separate entrances to these facilities.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 42° 1.375′ N, 93° 18.617′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Des Moines. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Colo Motel (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Colo Motel (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); Niland's Cafe (within shouting distance of this marker); Highway Grade Separation (within shouting distance of this marker); Service Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Colo Reed/Niland Corner (within shouting distance of
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
2. Colo Cabin Camp Marker
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
3. Colo Cabin Camp Marker
looking north
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
