In 1871 Joseph Hewitt’s Clear Lake City, south of the outlet, and James Dickirson’s Clear Lake Village, where our downtown of today stands, were joined and incorporated as Clear Lake Iowa.
That same year the railroad and the telegraph arrived in town. These events set the scene for a booming tourist industry that followed and remains thriving.
Over the years many different slogans have let the world know about our beautiful, charming town.
The first slogan was “The Best Sidewalks in Iowa”. Although it makes me chuckle, it’s extremely important for the 1870’s that a booming town have great sidewalks to keep citizens and visitors safe from the mud and dust.
Clear Lake’s sidewalks were elevated and the wooden paths measured 8 feet across. Quite the luxury!
Eventually sidewalks became gravel then cement and the slogans evolved to match the times. Today we are “Setting Sail into the Future” as we continue to welcome guests and work together as a community.
