 The first rest areas along Iowa 's interstates were built in the 1960s . They were modest facilities ; separate buildings housed the restrooms and vending machines . A few rest stops had another building with local tourist information . On August 4 , 1999 , the first modern rest area opened along eastbound I @-@ 80 near Wilton . The new facilities feature one large building housing as many as 28 more toilets than the older buildings , in addition to all the other common rest area amenities . They also feature artwork by local Iowa artists . Each new rest area is designed around a theme . For instance , the facility near Adair is a tribute to the life of Henry A. Wallace , the 33rd Vice President of the United States , who was born in nearby Orient . 
