in Clear Lake, Iowa
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in Clear Lake, Iowa |
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Clear Lake is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. The city is named for the large lake on which it is located. Clear Lake is the home of a number of marinas, state parks and tourism-related businesses.
In 1851 Joseph Hewitt and James Dickerson brought their families to camp on the east side of Clear Lake, soon building a cabin, and began a friendship with the Winnebago natives. By 1853 many more white settlers had also came to settle in the area. By the year 1855 the first Clear Lake school was built and the first steam saw mill. In 1855 a hotel was built by James Crow. By 1870 the town had 775 residents and by 1871 the streets were graded and sidewalks were made of raised boards, a sure sign of thriving new city. The city of Clear Lake was incorporated on May 26, 1871. The first bandstand built in Clear Lake was in 1877 at the City Park. The town grew and built its first library in 1889. In 1933 the Surf Ballroom open up on the site of the old Tom Tom ballroom that had been destroyed by fire. The opening dance night had approximately 700 couples attending. In 1947 the Surf Ballroom burned down and a new Surf Ballroom was built across the street in 1948. |
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Three
Stars Plaza, downtown Clear Lake, Iowa
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n Roll stars, Buddy Holly, J.P. The Big Bopper Richardson
and Ritchie Valens are remembered at Three Stars Plaza located ½
block west of the legendary Surf Ballroom. An original work of art representing
a giant record player spindle stacked with three 45 rpm records is located
in the center of Three Stars Plaza. The 15-foot art feature honors the
stars' fateful final performance at Clear Lake’s Surf Ballroom in
early February 1959. The trio, along with pilot Roger Peterson, died hours
after their performance in a plane crash in a field north of Clear Lake.
At night the three records are beautifully lit in blue neon. Lots more history on the crash can be found by using the link at the bottom of this page. |
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On
June 2, 2012 the Two RV Gypsies attended a City Park Festival in Downtown
Clear Lake, Iowa called Motofest III, which was presented by The Motorcycle
Awareness Group of North Iowa. Over two dozen vendors and many local
sponsors participated in events in downtown Clear Lake, Iowa.
The two RV Gypsies watched a motorcycle stunt show, enjoyed browsing a vintage bike and scooter display, and listened to a live band while enjoying lunch purchased at the park. A lot of bikers were also in attendance. Below are a few of the vintage bikes that were on display. |
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Below
are more sections of the adventures of the two RV Gypsies in Iowa. You
may view them in any order you wish. So always
scroll all the way down every page. |
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Clear Lake, Iowa (this
page) |
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The region
around the lake that would later be called Clear Lake was a summer
home to the Sioux and Winnebago natives. During a land survey of northern
Iowa done in 1832 by Nathan Boone, the son of the famous explorer
Daniel Boone, a map was made showing the lake and other bodies of water
in the area. 
AFTER you have viewed all 9 sections above,
please continue on to the adventures of the two RV Gypsies in Minnesota:
