Colo in Story County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Niland's Cafe

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026

1. Niland's Cafe Marker

Inscription.
Food service at Reed/Niland Corner began in the mid-1920s with a lunch stand selling sandwiches and cold drinks to motorists during the summer months. Built next to a small gas station located about one hundred yards east of this point, the lunch stand was soon replaced by a small café on the south side of the highway. In 1930 the café was moved back to the north side, where it underwent one more move before reaching its present location. Several later additions brought the café to its present size. By the late 1930s, its name had been changed from the L & J [Lincoln and Jefferson] Café to Niland's Café.

Niland's Café was a classic roadside eatery, bedecked with "Eat" signs and open for long hours every day. Known for offering "home cooked" meals at reasonable prices, it was also well patronized by residents of Colo and vicinity until it closed in 1991. The front part of the café has been restored to its appearance in the 1940s and early 1950s, before the north wing was added in 1955 and the café reached its maximum capacity of 65 seats.

The concrete marker bearing the Lincoln medallion is one of about 3,000 installed

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by the Boy Scouts along the route of the Lincoln Highway in 1928 and was not originally at this location.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Food & Drink • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 42° 1.359′ N, 93° 18.651′ W. Marker is in Colo, Iowa, in Story County. It is on Lincoln Highway west of U.S. 65, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24 Lincoln Hwy, Colo IA 50056, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Service Station (a few steps from this marker); Colo Reed/Niland Corner (a few steps from

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026

2. Niland's Cafe Marker

Located at the southwest corner of the building. Lincoln Highway marker (mentioned on marker) is shown in front of the place

this marker); Reed/Niland Corner (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); Colo Motel (within shouting distance of this marker); Colo Cabin Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Colo Motel (within shouting distance of this marker); Highway Grade Separation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colo.

Also see . . . Reed/Niland Corner on Wikipedia. (Submitted on November 7, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.