History
Clear Lake, Iowa has a rich past that will delight the interests of a history buff or an avid student of history. The Clear Lake Historical Society is a non-profit organization founded with the purpose of preserving and interpreting our community’s rich heritage. Letters and diaries relating to the life of the pioneers, early settlers, and distinguished citizens are made available. Historical valuable photographs are preserved and accessible for the public to see. Newspaper, cemetery and school archives are kept for future reference. Help is given to citizens, churches and other groups, which are interested in preserving their archives. All of this is done with the aim to promote and preserve a vital interest in Clear Lake’s local history.
Local members of the community and those who have an avid interest in the history of Clear Lake make up the core of people who keep the society active; studying everything from cemetery records to Buddy Holly to Civil War links to the Chautauqua and many topics in between. Clear Lake was called the “Saratoga of the West” during the late 19th century and for good reason; there is much to discover about Clear Lake from its beginning in 1851. Its resort atmosphere and yet small town feel make it truly a treasure in north Iowa. There are two locations available for those interested in exploring Clear Lake’s fascinating past. The primary depository of archives, known
as the History Room, can be found at the Clear Lake Public Library at 200 N. Fourth St. Hours of operation for the History Room are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Clear Lake Historical Society maintains an exhibit at Dana’s Decorating Studio located at 309 Main Ave. This exhibit highlights key eras and events from Clear Lake’s past and is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The Clear Lake Historical Society also provides free walking and driving tours of the community and around the lake, highlighting key events, people and sites. The society sponsors community talks quarterly and has several publications by local authors and about Clear Lake for sale at both the History Room and the Historical Society exhibit. If you are interested in programming, the Clear Lake Historical Society has speakers on a variety of topics relating to the history of the community, north Iowa area and general American history. These individuals can be booked for an event by calling (641) 3576133 or writing the Clear Lake Historical Society at P.O. Box 252, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. Contact can also be made through email at cliowahistory@gmail.com. Information about ongoing events sponsored by the Clear Lake Historical Society can be found on its website at www.clearlakehistoricalsociety. com and the society can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ clearlakehistoricalsociety. Clear Lake’s community historian, H. Milton Duesenberg and Clear Lake Historical Society president, Beth Ann Schumacher, are ready to assist and encourage you to take a step into the past and feel the excitement of history.
Fire Museum 112 N. Sixth St. | (641) 357-4823 www.clearlakefire.com Memorial Day - Labor Day, Sat. - Sun. 1-4 p.m. or by appointment. Free; donations welcomed. Resembling a 1920s fire station, this museum takes you through the early days of firefighting. Clear Lake’s own 1924 Ahrens-Fox Pumper Engine is on display, and after 50 years of service, it is still functional but is now used for parades and special occasions. Local volunteer fire fighters built the museum, filling it with photographs, mementos and antique equipment, telling their story as only they can. Located adjacent to the newly constructed fire station, visitors get a visual comparing old to new. The 9/11 Steel Monument on the site corner is a place of reflection and honor. Kinney Pioneer Museum 9184 265th St. | (641) 423-1258 Open May - Sept., 1-5 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday Experience Iowa frontier life up close at this living history museum filled with vintage exhibits of the early days on the prairie. Explore the pioneer village’s one-room school house, log cabin, jail and blacksmith shop. Inside you’ll find treasures such as classic cars — including the only remaining Colby automobile which was manufactured locally in 1911, antique agricultural equipment, tools — including a 125-year-old loom and an extensive doll collection. Pioneer demonstrations are featured during special event days. Trolley Park 3429 Main Ave. | (641) 357-7433 www.iowatrolleypark.org Memorial Day - Labor Day Sat. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. or by appointment. Museum admission free. $4 hand car and $6 speeder rides. Take a trip back in time and get handson experience riding the rails. Your family can hop all aboard onto a handcar and take a trip around the park, or blow the whistle on a speeder or diesel locomotive ride. You’ll see and learn about the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Depot that served Clear Lake from 1913 to 1984. Be sure to check in on the progress as they construct an operational Civil War era VT Lyon steam locomotive on site.
John Kopecky: Clear Lake’s Music Man There are two new memorial waysides in City Park on the west side of the 1919 bandstand at the top of the hill celebrating John Kopecky’s legacy. Among many musical achievements, one that still exists today is the North Iowa Band Festival he created in 1932. Thirteen bands from across north Iowa participated with more than 20,000 spectators. After five years in Clear Lake, the event outgrew the facility and was moved 10 miles east to Meredith Willson’s hometown of Mason City where it continues today.
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Destination Clear Lake 2017
www.clearlakeiowa.com
