Small Town Diaries

Small Town Diaries Join Evon and Brien as we continue the adventure into Oklahoma and beyond.

Small Town Diaries follows our journey restoring historic places, exploring small towns, and searching for the next chapter after the restoration of Hotel Osceola.

03/13/2026

FOR SALE — Fully Restored Restaurant/Bar in Downtown Osceola, Iowa

When we purchased the historic Hotel Osceola, we also bought the neighboring building at 124 S Fillmore with a simple goal — restore it and use the business to help fund the preservation of the hotel.

That building became Sweet Scoops, and it has been completely restored.

Now that the hotel has officially sold and our journey is moving toward the next historic project in Oklahoma, it’s time for the next chapter for this beautiful space.

So we are offering 124 S Fillmore for sale.

⸻

✨ Major Improvements Include

• New roof
• New electrical
• New plumbing
• New flooring
• New doors
• New windows
• New air mini split systems
• Installed grease trap

This property has already undergone the hard and expensive part — the restoration.

⸻

🏢 Property Details

✔️ Price includes the building
✔️ Zoned for restaurant / tavern use
✔️ Located in downtown Osceola
✔️ Ideal for owner operator or investor

⸻

🍳 Equipment Available (Separate Transaction)

Commercial appliances and restaurant equipment are not included in the building price, but we are open to separate offers for the equipment package.

Buy the building only, or negotiate for both depending on your needs.

⸻

💡 Endless Possibilities

• Restaurant
• Tavern or Bar
• Café
• Bakery
• Event dining space
• Ghost kitchen
• Franchise location

This is a rare opportunity to step into a fully restored food service building without the renovation headaches.

If you’ve been dreaming about opening your own place, this building is ready.

📞 For more information, call Lisa Pierce (515) 360-6442

After several incredible years restoring Hotel Osceola, that chapter has officially come to a close as the building begi...
03/13/2026

After several incredible years restoring Hotel Osceola, that chapter has officially come to a close as the building begins a new life under new ownership.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who followed the journey and supported the project along the way.

As we begin searching for our next historic property in Oklahoma, this page will now evolve into Small Town Diaries — a place where we share stories of historic places, small towns, and the adventures that come with restoring them.

The journey continues.

12/14/2025

📣 Important Announcement from Sweet Scoops & Urban Labels

Due to the ongoing streetscape construction project in downtown Osceola — and the continued impact it has had on foot traffic, access, and parking — Sweet Scoops and Urban Labels will be closed for the remainder of the year beginning Monday, December 15th.

We plan to remain closed throughout the duration of the downtown Osceola Streetscape Project and will reopen once full access to the Square is restored.

This was an incredibly difficult decision for us. Remaining open during construction was negatively impacting our financial resources for the Hotel Osceola restoration project, and continuing operations under these conditions would have made it harder to sustain the mission we are working so hard to achieve.

We also understand that this closure affects many of our loyal customers, especially during the holiday season.

🎁 If you have purchased a Sweet Scoops or Urban Labels gift card and prefer not to wait until we reopen, please reach out to us directly and we will refund your gift card in full.

Our mission — restoring the historic 1883 Hotel Osceola and supporting downtown revitalization — remains unchanged. We appreciate your continued support and understanding during this difficult transition, and we look forward to welcoming you back once construction is complete and access is fully restored.

Thank you for standing with us and for supporting local businesses. 💛

— Sweet Scoops & Urban Labels

“The 52 Rooms That Shocked Southern Iowa”When the Arlington opened with 52 guest rooms, people were stunned.Most small-t...
12/06/2025

“The 52 Rooms That Shocked Southern Iowa”

When the Arlington opened with 52 guest rooms, people were stunned.

Most small-town hotels in the 1880s had 10–20 rooms. A few had 30. But 52?
That was the size of a city hotel.

Newspaper reports described the Arlington as “immense” and “first-class.” For a town of Osceola’s size, this wasn’t just impressive—it was almost unbelievable.

The Arlington wasn’t built small.
It wasn’t built modest.
It was built to last.

Now we want to hear from YOU. 💬We’ve been uncovering incredible stories from 1882–1883 — from the hotel’s first keeper, ...
12/04/2025

Now we want to hear from YOU. 💬

We’ve been uncovering incredible stories from 1882–1883 — from the hotel’s first keeper, to its original furnishings, to the day it officially received the name “The Arlington.”

Do you want us to keep sharing these stories?
Would you like us to keep diving into the archives, the old newspapers, the maps, and the memories?

👇 Comment below and let us know!
Your feedback helps guide what we share next — and we have so much more to reveal about the early days of this historic landmark.

✨ Pieces of the Past: The Arlington Hotel ✨

“June 1, 1883: The Naming of The Arlington”Some moments in history are quiet but powerful—so subtle that they hide in th...
12/01/2025

“June 1, 1883: The Naming of The Arlington”

Some moments in history are quiet but powerful—so subtle that they hide in the margins of old newspapers.
But this one?
This one marked the true beginning of our hotel’s identity.

After months of construction, curiosity, and anticipation, the grand new brick hotel on the square finally opened its doors on June 1, 1883. And with that opening came something long awaited:

🌿 Its name — The Arlington.

For months, the papers simply called it “the new brick hotel.”
The town watched it rise, story by story, without knowing what Osceola’s newest landmark would be called.

Then, on Opening Day, the proprietors made it official.

In the words of the Osceola Sentinel, published just days later:

“Opened for business June 1st… The proprietors, S. R. Johnson & Co., have named the house ‘The Arlington.’”
— Osceola Sentinel, June 7, 1883

A name elegant enough to match its architecture.
Refined enough for the travelers who would step off the trains.
Strong enough to last generations.

From that day forward, it was no longer just a new hotel.
It was The Arlington — a place of gathering, hospitality, and history in the making.

And now, 142 years later, as we work to restore the building, we celebrate the day its identity was born.

✨ More stories from 1883 are on the way. Stay tuned as we continue bringing this remarkable chapter of Osceola’s past back to life.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take a moment to reflect on how truly thankful we are to each and every one of yo...
11/27/2025

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take a moment to reflect on how truly thankful we are to each and every one of you.

None of this restoration would have been possible without the incredible people who believe in the vision, share their memories, and support the journey every step of the way.

To every friend, visitor, volunteer, historian, donor, and follower… whether you’ve stopped by Sweet Scoops, shopped at Urban Labels, or simply followed the restoration updates on Facebook, we appreciate you more than you know.

Thank you for being part of our story — and our restoration. 🤍






















June 1, 1883: The Day the Doors OpenedOn June 1, 1883, the grand brick hotel on the square finally opened its doors.News...
11/26/2025

June 1, 1883: The Day the Doors Opened

On June 1, 1883, the grand brick hotel on the square finally opened its doors.

Newspaper accounts from the week celebrate the moment: the keys handed over, the lamps lit, the dining room set, and the proprietors proudly announcing the name—
✨ The Arlington House ✨

The Sentinel called it “splendid,” “fine,” and worthy of any city in the state. Travelers immediately began arriving by rail, eager to stay in the newest, most elegant hotel in southern Iowa.

It was more than an opening.
It was Osceola’s arrival on the map.

✨ Comment below to let us know you're enjoying these and share the journey with your friends and family. Help us bring the hotel back to life.

Welcome to Pieces of the Past: The Arlington Hotel.

Good morning!The key to a good day is….. ✨🔑Write your comment below! 👇
11/25/2025

Good morning!
The key to a good day is….. ✨🔑

Write your comment below! 👇









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130 S Fillmore
Osceola, IA

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