Our Themed Rooms ¤ Employment ¤ How to Find Us ¤ Board of Directors
	The community of Albia is located in south central Iowa. Albia is approximately sixty miles south of Des Moines, Iowa on Highway 5 and twenty miles west of Ottumwa, Iowa on Highway 34.
	HISTORIC ALBIA, IOWA Albia's colorful turn-of-the century business district welcomes visitors to a charming combination of yesterday's graceful architecture, with today's comfort and convenience. Located at the junction of U.S. Highway 34 and Iowa Highway 5, Albia offers a journey back in time. Amid the scenic southern Iowa hills, forests and rivers, the restored community attracts visitors for relaxation, recreation…. and restoration. Albia entered the Twentieth Century as a thriving city, center of commerce, culture, transportation and society for Monroe County. During the turn-of-the-century mining years, the county had numerous coal camps, from Hocking south of Albia, northwest to Hiteman. Another interurban line connected Albia to Centerville, to the south. Albia's business district and fine homes reflected the community's prosperity. Merchants and homebuilders in the late 1800's and early 1900's selected Victoria, Italianate, Gothic, Tudor Revival, and other distinctive styles for their new buildings. In 1903, Monroe County completed construction of a three-story stone courthouse, which still commands the square today. Albia's 92-building business district, the courthouse and several homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The blocks surrounding the courthouse square are a living architectural museum. Monroe County's Sports Complex, one of the community's recreational areas, has tennis courts, ball diamonds and park equipment. Picnicking, swimming, camping, fishing and hunting are easily available all over Monroe County. Lake Rathbun (Iowa's largest lake) is located 15 minutes south of Albia. Lake Miami, a state-owned fishing lake, is located 7 miles to the north. Both areas allow camping, hiking and have nature trails. The community has attractive restaurants and a motel, and out-of-town visitors can use local golf, handball and racquetball facilities for a fee. Albia also hosts several annual events and festivals. Albia Restoration Days is held each August. The Victorian Stroll is held the first Saturday in December, and Cruizin' Albia, a 50's and 60's celebration, is held the fourth weekend in June. For more information on Albia businesses and attractions, please visit the following websites or contact the Albia Chamber of Commerce at (641) 932-5108. Historic Albia Albia News