2018.012.009 [Motel]

The Motel Sepia was opened by Cecil Reed, Iowa's first African American Republican Legislator, and his family in 1953. The motel one of only a dozen lodging establishments in Iowa that accepted blacks. The motel started out with four units, two bathrooms and a reception area, and then expanded to include ten lodging units in six buildings by 1955. The Cedar Rapids Gazette described the rooms as "comfortable simplicity brightened with color". Picnic tables and an outdoor fireplace were available for patrons who wanted to make their own meals. In 1956 a new bypass was created, relocating US 30 away from Mt. Vernon Road. The Sepia remained open but patrons became fewer and fewer. Most rooms were rented out as apartments. The Reed's kept the motel in business until 1964 when they sold the property to the city of Cedar Rapids. The city demolished the buildings in 1966, turning the land into a park and trail, which is now part of the Indian Creek Nature Center. Content can be used with the following content: 3rd grade SS 3.28 Cultural Contributions in a lesson on contributions made to cities such as Cedar Rapids. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions.