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© 2009, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce | 205 Main Avenue | P.O. Box 188 | Clear Lake, IA 50428 Phone: (641) 357-2159, (800) 285-5338 | Fax: (641) 357-8141 - Designed and Hosted by Webwise Websites. |
 Surf Ballroom & Museum One of Clear Lake's premier attractions is the Surf Ballroom. The ballroom is best known as the site of Buddy Holly's last concert on February 2, 1959. Holly, along with Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, died in a plane crash north of Clear Lake following their performance at the Surf in the early morning hours of February 3rd. Each year, a tribute is held the first full weekend in February to pay tribute to the legendary performers. In 1995, the Surf Ballroom was restored to its original splendor, thanks to the Dean Snyder family which purchased the ballroom in September of 1994. The ballroom had the great honor of being named Iowa's Attraction of the Year in 1995. In 1998, the Surf, along with former manager Carroll Anderson, was officially inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Okoboji, Iowa. Throughout the year, the Surf Ballroom is host to a variety of musical acts, ranging from rock and roll, to jazz, the blues and traditional big bands. Groups who have recently performed at the Surf include Cheap Trick, George Thorogood, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley and Tracy Lawrence. Watch the Surf Ballroom's calendar of events for announcements of upcoming concerts. The Surf can also be reserved as a convention site and reception hall. Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday |
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 Plane Crash Site of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & "Big Bopper" It was just another Iowa soybean field before the plane carrying Buddy Holly crashed there. Now, to fans, it's hallowed ground. Ken Paquette, who lives in Portersfield, Wis., 50 miles north of Green Bay, wanted something permanent at the exact location of the crash. "People didn't know exactly where it was," said Paquette, a 50's era fan. "There were flowers scattered all along the fence line. I thought there should be something there." Paquette made a stainless steel guitar and a set of three stainless steel records. On the guitar are the names Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper, along with the date of the crash, 2/3/59. On the records, there are the names of the recording labels and the big hits for the three artists: "Peggy Sue" on Coral, "Donna" on Del Fi and "Chantilly Lace" on Mercury. The memorial is located on private property. Visitors are asked to respect their rights while visiting "The Place The Music Died." Directions to Crash Site: From U.S. Highway 18, go north on North 8th Street in Clear Lake for 4.7 miles. When the paved road (which has turned into Grouse Avenue) turns to your left (west), take the gravel road (310th Street) to your right (east), then immediately left (north) on Gull Avenue. Follow Gull Avenue to the north for one-half mile, just past the grain bins to the first fence row on your left (west). Walk along the fence row towards the west for just under one-half mile. A small memorial is located at the place the plane came to rest. Four trees were also planted along the fence row in 1999, one for each performer and the pilot. |
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 Main Street Trolley The Main Street Trolley is a "vintage era" rubber-wheeled vehicle reminiscent of the trolleys which traveled on electric tracks through Clear Lake to Mason City years ago. The trolley continues to add to Clear Lake's vintage ambiance, which has been created with the antique style lamp posts and brick sidewalks. With a capacity of 24 adults, the enclosed trolley may be chartered for a variety of events year-round. The vehicle is heated for winter use. Hours: Available year-round for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, holiday parties and other private charters. No public schedule or routes offered. Owned and operated by the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Call (800) 285-5338 or (641) 357-2159 for additional information or to make a reservation. |
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 The Lady of the Lake found a home in Clear Lake in 1987 after paddling the Missouri River for a number of years. The stern wheeler ferry boat now transports passengers on a scenic cruise around Clear Lake throughout the summer and fall. The "Lady" features an enclosed lower level and an open upper level with tables and chairs. The vessel contains a cash bar, dance floor and restrooms. Passengers are asked to board one-half hour before departure. All cruises are subject to change. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children under age 12. For more information, call (641) 357-2243 or visit their web page at www.cruiseclearlake.com. |
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 112 North 6th Street, Clear Lake (641) 357-2613 You're invited to sit aboard an antique fire truck, ring the bell and more, as you get the feel of what the early days of fire fighting were like. The Clear Lake Fire Museum, which resembles early fire stations with multi-level, arched engine doors, was a labor of love created by the Clear Lake Volunteer Fire Department to showcase turn of the century firefighting equipment. The centerpiece of the state's first such facility is a 1924 Ahrens-Fox pumper truck. The monument features a color sketch of the classic fire truck. Other museum highlights include the city's 1883 hand-pulled hose cart, antique fire extinguishers, newspaper clippings, photos and a shiny brass pole. A bell tower holds the original fire bell used by the department. A memorial dedicated to honor all firefighters who have served Clear Lake was unveiled in 1995 as one of the newest additions to the Clear Lake Fire Museum. Hours: Memorial Day - Labor Day, Sat. & Sun. 1-4 p.m. |
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Central Gardens of North Iowa  The 2.5 acre gardens site is actually many gardens within one. Gardens range from Victorian to Wetland, Butterfly, Ornamental Grass and Shade. Water features and a stream are part of the landscape, as well as terraces and a pavilion. |
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 Cerro Gordo Wind Farm Farming has taken on a whole new meaning in the Clear Lake area. FPL Energy, Inc. has brought "green" electric power to thousands of homes and businesses in the Clear Lake area through the Cerro Gordo County Wind Farm Project. The $44 million, 42-megawatt wind farm project was completed in 1999. The wind farm consists of 55 wind turbines occupying 2.4 acres on a 2,110 acre site, and produces enough electricity to serve 20,000 Iowa homes and businesses. Each turbine is approximately 187 feet in height and requires a 30 x 30 foot area of property. More than 10 miles of underground cables link the turbines and transmit the electricity to a nearby Alliant Gas & Electric Corporation sub-station. Clear Lake was chosen as the site for the wind farm because it has some of the best wind resources in the state. In addition, its proximity to Alliant Gas & Electric's power grid streamlines the process of bringing renewable energy to the people of Iowa. There are total of 13 landowners that participate in the wind farm project. Hours: Open daily from daylight to dusk Directions to Wind Farm: Traveling north or south on Interstate 35, exit at #194. Go west through Clear Lake on Highway 18 approximately eight miles to Ventura. Turn left into Ventura on Main Street. Go south approximately four miles on Balsam Avenue (Main Street turns into Balsam) to 210th Street. Turn left onto 210th Street. A Visitor Information Kiosk is located on Balsam Avenue (Information only - no staff present). |
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 Camp Tanglefoot Girl Scout Camp Tanglefoot, located on the south shore of Clear Lake is recognized as one of the nation's premier Girl Scout and year-round program centers. Each summer, more than 3,000 campers attend resident sessions ranging from overnight to 18 days. The camp is open to all girls, including non-Girl Scouts, and there are special sessions for parents and families. Camp Tanglefoot has recently completed an extensive renovation plan, and invested more than $600,000 in new cabins, showers, maintenance shop, game court, outdoor shelter, and the unique, two-level year-round program chalet, the "Oaks". Popular activities include swimming, sailing instruction, canoeing, arts, music, bicycling, theme events, environmental projects, no-trace camping skills, an obstacle course and high ropes challenge course, and the "Leaders in Training" project for older girls. The camp employs 30 specially trained and certified summer staff. The camp is an accredited member of the American Camping Association, and operates under the guidelines of GSUSA, the Red Cross, U.S. Sailing Association, American Canoeing Association, and The Association of Challenge Course technology. From September to May, the camp buildings are available on a limited rental basis for meetings, seminars and retreats. The grounds are available for hiking, nature study and cross-country-skiing. For more information, contact: Girl Scout Camp Tanglefoot |
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Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel  Jack Kennedy says he built the tiny Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel as a witness to Christ. Ironically, the tragic burning and subsequent rebuilding of the tiny chapel has served as a much greater witness than Kennedy ever imagined. Kennedy, along with his family, erected the church in 1991 just off Interstate 35 at Clear Lake exit 193. The large stained glass cross at the altar of the church was designed to serve as a beacon to Interstate travelers. Literally thousands of travelers have made at least a brief stop in Clear Lake to see the church named in memory of Kennedy's aunt, who believed her life was once saved by a guardian angel. The original church featured pieces of the altar salvaged from the Lutheran Church rebuilt in 1965,as well as stained glass windows and pews from a former church here. However, in 1992, vandals burned the structure. Everything in the building, with the exception of a baptismal bowl, was destroyed. Thanks to financial contributions by more than 70 persons and donations of labor by more than 30, the chapel was re-dedicated Palm Sunday, 1993. Like the first chapel, this one features windows salvaged from the former Zion Lutheran Church. The pews were left-over from the building of the first chapel. The oak altar in the first chapel was replicated by Wunderlich Woodworking, of Mason City. The new rail was actually the old choir rail from Zion Lutheran Church, modified to serve as an altar rail at the chapel. Other volunteers built a new oak baptismal fountain. Stained glass artist John Larsen recreated the large cross which faces the Interstate highway from pieces of glass left over from the first chapel, in addition to putting new lead in the old stained glass windows. Hours: Open daily from daylight to dusk. To visit the church, turn south off 4th Avenue South at 24th Street (Pritchard's Ford corner). Travel approximately one-half mile south. The entrance to the church is on the east side of the road. |
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 Fort Custer Maze Clear Lake's newest attraction is the Fort Custer Maze. The maze covers nearly two acres and has over two miles of trail. The maze was designed by the father and son team of Jack and Scott Kennedy, with the help of Adrienne Fisher of Portsmouth, England, the world's leading maze consultant. The maze includes towers on the four corners, three bridges and a center look-out tower. An office building serves as a mini museum for visitors, with displays of animal mounts, as well as Civil War and Indian artifacts. Visitors have their time logged in and out of the maze, with weekly prizes awarded for the fastest times. The maze design will change weekly during the summer season to provide new challenges. A special Halloween maze is also planned annually. Hours: Memorial Day - Labor Day, Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Sat & Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Open weekends only in May & September 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Also available to parties by reservation. Directions to Fort Custer: from the junction of Interstate 35 and Highway B-35 (exit 193), proceed one block west to 24th Street, then four blocks north to Main Avenue, then one block east to the Maze. |
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Clear Lake Arts Center A 21st century addition to the downtown scene, the Clear Lake Arts Center showcases 2-D & 3-D art and fine crafts through an arts sales gallery and a changing exhibit space. Additional arts programming includes year-round arts classes for youth and adults open to anyone and theatrical programs. A reader's theater group of local participants periodically presents a casual Cup O' Joe Show of humorous readings and musical entertainment. An annual children's theater production brings youth to the stage. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m |
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 Iowa Trolley Park |
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