Niland’s Café 100
Colo 150
America 250
Lincoln Hwy 30
Jefferson Hwy 64
Speed Limit 55
On June 14, 2026 the Jefferson and Lincoln Highway Heritage Byways hosted, “A Celebration of the Reed-Niland Corner.” What started out as a 100 Year Anniversary Celebration for Niland’s Café turned into an event to remember.
It doesn’t matter what your political affiliations are, there is no denying the connection between the Lincoln Highway and the Lincoln Memorial so when an opportunity to bring a National Project to our little Corner presented itself (ok, I dug around on the internet a bit to find a FREE opportunity for America 250), we jumped in full throttle!
Portrait of Hope: Shining down on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool- is a live-painting collaboration involving locations in all 50 states. Our Corner was chosen to represent Iowa for the historic gas station, agricultural fields, and mix of veterans, children, and rural Iowans. So we welcomed them, we painted panels, and the they took photos and videos of our event representing the best of Iowa. Those who attended will be able to see their painted panel lit up as a lantern on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC this October and in a documentary next spring. I told Ed Massey, who founded the non-profit organization in 1995 with his brother Bernie, that this was a full-circle moment for the Lincoln Highway. In 1913, when Henry Joy chose to name the coast-to-coast rock highway after Lincoln, he was hoping to get some of the money that was meant for the Washington DC Memorial. He loved the story and he loved representing Iowa with our corner.
We had several special guests attend our event. President Abraham Lincoln (Marty Chitty) and President Thomas Jefferson (Tom Richards) led us in singing the Star-Spangled Banner as the Colo American Legion presented the colors on this Flag Day. Judy Niland was able to attend, as were Sandi and Mike Kelley.
The Story County Supervisors, Linda Murken, Latifah Faisal, and Lisa Heddens, presented the Reed-Niland Corner non-profit with a $30,000 check to go towards maintenance repairs for the Corner. Supervisor Murken mentioned how special it was that the Board supported this project in the early 2000’s and again today.
Jefferson Highway Association Board Member from Plattsburg, Missouri, Terry Wood, was present to present a check for $1,000 to the Reed-Niland Corner.
Silly Sally, Colo native and 12-time State Fiddle Champion David Bellegante, with accompanist Bill Sturtz, and the Lincoln Highway Band were our performers for the day.
Several Iowa Lincoln Highway Association Members and Colo families joined us, and the bravest volunteers—Story County Treasurer Ted Rasmussen and Colo Mayor Jeff Brinkman—took their turns in the chilly dunk tank.
On behalf of the Jefferson and Lincoln Highway Heritage Byways (Jan and I), Niland’s Corner, and the Reed-Niland Corner non-profit, we would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported the Corner; past, present, and future.
We are all caretakers of a rare gem at the intersection of America’s first two transcontinental roadways, and we couldn’t do it without you.
See you on the byway!
Jeanie
