The King Tower Cafe, a mainstay on Tama’s east side since 1937 is shown on Monday, March 12, 2018. News-Herald photos/John Speer

Editor’s Note: Anne Michael is spearheading an effort to establish Tama’s east side as an historic district encompassing it’s rich heritage on the nation’s first transcontinental highway and the site of the historic Lincoln Highway Bridge. Michael is a member of the Tama County Historical Preservation Commission and headed it during the rebirth of the organization last year.

In Tama, there is a movement to the establishing of an historical district. On the east edge of the city there are three structures that have long been a part of Tama’s history, and they remain a part of the community today. The structures are the King Tower Cafe, the Native American sign that sits in front of the cafe, and the small cabin that is the only cabin left from the King Tower one stop complex. The historical district will be finalized once all three structures are placed on the National Register, giving them national recognition.

The three structures were a part of a larger complex that was the vision of a true entrepreneur, Wes Mansfield. He saw the Lincoln Highway and recognized that he could provide services essential to travelers. Therefore, he built the King Tower Cafe, an automotive garage, a gas station, 18 cabins, and in the 1950’s erected the unique neon sign of a Native American in full headdress. With all its services, this became an inviting rest stop for those driving the Lincoln Highway.

The only cabin remaining today was restored by local people. It is thought that it survived because it was the only cabin that had running water. One can only speculate how guests in other cabins handled the lack of water. Probably it was the cafe that provided them with water and

bathroom facilities.

Restoration of the King Tower neon sign advertising souvenirs and hearkening to the area’s rich Native?American heritage is in the planning stage. The sign was erected in the 1950s.

The Native American sign was erected in the 1950’s. Currently, it is in a state of disrepair; however, the Tama County Historical Preservation Commission is applying for a grant to restore it. This iconic sign will shine again.

The final structure of the historical district is the cafe that was opened on October 28, 1937.

Mr. Mansfield was firm about how it would be run. It would be open 24 hours a day and 7 days a

week. Over the years, many local people worked at the cafe. Many more people came to the cafe very, very early Sunday morning to have some breakfast after a Saturday night of festivities.

The King Tower was a part of Tama peoples’ lives for several decades.

The restored and only remaining King Tower One Stop tourist cabin.

The cafe and the other two structures qualify for the National Register because of their association with the Lincoln Highway, one of the first transcontinental highways that ran from Times Square in New York to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. The cafe has an additional qualification in its architecture, which is Spanish Colonial Revival style with a flourish of Art Deco. This architecture is both unique and colorful, designed to attract customers.

Inside the cafe are two rooms. One is the cafe section, and the other Mr. Mansfield called “the party room.” The newspaper article that covered the opening of the cafe indicated that this room was “tastefully decorated in orange, blue, and silver.” Three pieces of art work are original to the cafe. One is a mural in the dining area depicting the state of Iowa and indicating the location of the King Tower. Also in the dining area is a striking mural depicting Native Americans. The other is in the party room and is an oil painting of the complex as it was with all its facilities when it was a one stop.

Mr. Mansfield made the second story of the cafe into sleeping rooms. These rooms were used by employees who were not local. They had a place to rest, and since the cafe was open night and day, many undoubtedly needed some rest. Also, with sleeping facilities at their place of employment, there really was no excuse for being late for work.

Lincoln Highway Bridge

Sightseers visiting this historical district have another point of interest. About a block vast of

Mural of State of Iowa depicting U.S. 30 route.

the cafe and situated on the old Lincoln Highway is the only bridge of its kind remaining in the United States. It is a bridge original to the highway and built in 1915. The founders of Tama paid to have the letters spelling “Lincoln Highway’ as part of the railings on either side of the bridge.

Because of its association with the Lincoln Highway, it is already on the National Register.

Currently, the City of Tama is writing for grants to repair this national treasure and protect it from heavy truck traffic.

There is a story about the cafe that has amused people for years. The cafe was open night and day all week long until 1943. At that time, it was temporarily closed due to World War II, which brought a shortage of food and of help. This story, told among the locals. has to do with that closing. The doors of the King Tower had not been closed for almost 7 years.

So when the cafe’s final preparations for closing were completed, it was time to lock the door. However,those doors had not been locked ever — and as a result, nobody was able to locate the key

Mural of State of Iowa depicting U.S. 30 route and a view of one of the orignal wall murals in the King Tower Cafe in Tama.

The King Tower is currently open for business,, the cabin is still situated close to the cafe, the sign still sits in front of the cafe, and a short distance away is the Lincoln Highway Bridge. An important part of the local, state, and national history is located in Tama, Iowa, and still available to public viewing.