Nonprofit maps the next route for this historic road stop site
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A historic crossroads of American road culture is being reborn through grassroots preservation. In Colo, Iowa, the Reed and Island Corner—where the Lincoln and Jefferson Highways once converged—was nearly lost to neglect and potential sale until a newly formed nonprofit took ownership in April 2026. The site, once a bustling one-stop hub with a gas station, motel, and Nyland’s Cafe, now faces a revival thanks to community-led efforts. Former employees like Scott Berka and civic leader Brenda McGuire rallied residents, secured federal grants, and launched a nonprofit to protect the site’s legacy. Their grand opening on June 14th will celebrate 100 years of Nyland’s Cafe, America 250, and 150 years of Colo, featuring live music, vintage games, and a national art project honoring the Lincoln Memorial. Meanwhile, in Lisbon, the McElmeal family reclaimed the Myers Farmstead District—once donated to the city for a park—after it fell into disrepair following a derecho and shifting municipal priorities. They formed a nonprofit, invested over $100,000 of their own funds, and are restoring historic barns and prairie land. Both efforts highlight a growing national crisis: historic roadside sites are vanishing, not from disuse, but from lack of sustainable stewardship. The stories of these communities reveal that preservation isn’t just about buildings—it’s about memory, identity, and the urgent need for local ownership to protect America’s vanishing road heritage.
The Reed and Island Corner in Colo, Iowa, is now under nonprofit ownership after being endangered by city inaction and neglect.
Nyland’s Cafe, the only restaurant in Colo, is celebrating 100 years with a grand opening on June 14th featuring live music, vintage games, and a national art project.
The nonprofit secured a federal grant to write a National Register nomination for the site, a critical step in long-term preservation.
The McElmeal family in Lisbon reclaimed the Myers Farmstead District after the city abandoned its park plans, investing over $100,000 to restore historic barns and prairie land.
Historic roadside sites like these are vanishing rapidly—recent losses include the Herring Hotel and Cedar Rapids’ oldest nightclub—highlighting a national preservation crisis.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to the Reed and Island Corner
The episode opens with a sponsorship from Dwell Home Furnishings and introduces the historic significance of the Reed and Island Corner in Colo, Iowa, where the Lincoln and Jefferson Highways intersected in the early 20th century.
Scott Berka’s Memories of the Gas Station
Scott Berka, a retired Colo City Clerk and former teen employee at Reed’s Gas Station, shares vivid memories of working 12-hour shifts, the evolution of the site into a full one-stop destination, and the early days of roadside tourism.
The 1990s Restoration Effort
The episode details how the Lincoln Highway Association and local leaders, including Scott Berka, secured federal transportation enhancement grants to restore the gas station, cafe, and motel—investing nearly a million dollars in total.
The Threat of Sale and Community Mobilization
Brenda McGuire recounts how the city of Colo considered selling the site for development, sparking a community alarm and leading to the formation of the Reed and Island Corner Incorporated nonprofit.
Building a Sustainable Nonprofit
The nonprofit team, including board members from across the country, is working on preservation guidelines, a National Register nomination, and long-term funding strategies to ensure the site’s survival.
“basically want to tell people that we are there and we'd like to see in the future be a major tourist attraction for our area.”
“It's one of those things that you plant the seed and you hope that it grows and continues on, just like our walnut grows.”
“We're the only one in the state doing it, aren't we? Yes. Right now, as I know, we're the only one in the state.”
Host
Guests
reed and island corner
organization
brenda mcguire
person
nyland's cafe
organization
reed and island corner incorporated
organization
pleasant grove heritage park
organization
steve mcelmeal
person
scott berka
person
michelle mcelmeal
person
myers farmstead district
organization
jeannie howe
person
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