Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
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The two RV Gypsies toured Clear Lake
on the Sternwheeler Paddleboat
Lady of The Lake
101 N. Lake View Drive
Clear Lake, Iowa 50428
August 1, 2017

USA map showing location of IowaCerro County Iowa map and Clear Lake

Clear Lake is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The city is named for the large lake on which it is located. It is the home of a number of marinas, state parks and tourism-related businesses. Clear Lake is also a major stop on Interstate 35 with many restaurants, hotels and truck stops.

history bookThe region around the lake that would later be called Clear Lake was a summer home to the Dakota and Winnebago American Indians. 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.

In 1851, Joseph Hewitt and James Dickirson 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 1909, Bayside Amusement park opened for the first time. The first North Iowa Band Festival was organized by John Kopecky and others in 1932.

In 1933, the Surf Ballroom opened 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. The Bayside Amusement park closed down in 1958.

In the early hours of February 3, 1959, a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper, who had been performing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, took off from the local runway in nearby Mason City, on its way to the next show in Moorhead, Minnesota.

The plane crashed soon after takeoff, killing all aboard. This event was later eulogized by folk singer Don McLean in his famous song, "American Pie", in which the death of these '50s icons serves as a metaphor for greater changes within American society as a whole.

In June 1988, around 600 people gathered to witness the dedication of the monument to the deceased rock and roll legends. Clear Lake also replaced street signs officially changing 2nd Place North to Buddy Holly Place in honor of the late singer.

NOTE: Photos and more about the crash site and Three Stars Plaza can be reached through the link at the bottom of this page.

Clear Lake WaterTower

The two RV Gypsies cruised aboard an authentic Sternwheeler Paddleboat The Lady of the Lake, North Iowa's premier cruise ship, and Karen Duquette enjoyed a drink from the bar.

The two RV Gypsies enjoyed talking with people as they sat back and enjoyed a 1-½-hour cruise around Clear Lake, a natural, spring-fed lake located in Clear Lake, Iowa, just minutes off I-35 and I-90.The cost was on this date was $14 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under and kids 2 years and younger were free on this date. Admission was taken as the two RV Gypsies boarded the boat. Tickets were not sold ahead of time and debit or credit cards were not accepted, cash or check only.

Lady of the Lake Paddlewheel Sternwheeler

Lee Duquette and Lady of the Lake

paddlewheel on Lady of the Lake

Clear Lake and The Island

Clear Lake Boats Marina

Clear Lake Boats Marina

pirate flags on a boat

look below
This is not a linear site, so there are three choices for continued navigation below:

go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies Continue on to - Mason City, some art and murals

OR

return to a previous page Back up to Clear Lake Iowa in 2012 - the Buddy Holly Crash Site, and Three Stars Plaza, Central Gardens and more in 2012 but be sure to return here to continue the 2017 travels.

OR

return to a previous page Return to the Iowa 2017 menu to continue navigation in the order of your choice.