How does your garden grow? With beets, carrots and onions all in a row? From early in the 1900’s to recently, Kennedy Farms in Clear Lake was Iowa’s largest vegetable grower. Sam Kennedy started the operation after realizing the value of the rich peat soil his land held. He worked hard and grew the business [...]
My grandfather, Roscoe Miller (1908-1991) told me the story of the last prairie fire in the area. He lived several miles north of Clear Lake (see 1875 map). His grandparents were named Dawson and they were one of the first settlers in this area. It was early spring in 1915 and they could see the [...]
John Kopecky, Clear Lake’s music man wore many hats. He was an accomplished musician, a talented instructor, a director and the father of Band Festival. That’s right, Band Festival is still going strong in Mason City but its roots are in Clear Lake. In August of 1932 there were 13 bands marching through the streets [...]
Clear Lake has recognized the importance of educating their next generations since the get go. In early settlement days of the 1850’s, classes were held in James Hewitt’s cabin. Elizabeth Garner taught the students. For her efforts she received room and board, and a dollar per student per year. By 1873 a high school curriculum [...]
Clear Lake has been prized for its bountiful fishing even long before the settlers came along. She still draws fishing enthusiasts. May 10th and 11th there will be many fishermen competing in the Walleye Classic. Each person will be hoping to hook the big one. But there is one famous fish they will definitely not [...]
50 years ago! It’s been 50 years and a few days since our Junior High building was lost to fire in April of 1975. Jane Beard, physical education instructor, discovered that a portion of the gym was in flames around 12:45. After safety evacuating 370 students and staff from the structure built in 1936, firefighters [...]
Have you ever had the quiet of a remote wetland or calm lake interrupted by what sounds like a brass band? You might have heard Trumpeter Swans. When European settlers arrived in Iowa, Trumpeters were plentiful. The handsome bird was prized for its beautiful white plumage. Many a lady’s hat was adorned with the huge [...]
Earth Day began on April 22 1970. It was the largest worldwide day of protest and awareness ever organized. It remains so to this day. The diverse groups of people who support this cause range from Republicans to Democrats; rich and poor; urban and rural; business and labor; and various corporations. Young and old alike [...]
The Earth is turning her face to the sun as spring arrives. Sometimes she gets a gentle kiss on the cheek, other days she gets a slap in the face while the iffy weather changes. Easter egg hunts have long been a tradition in Clear Lake. Early on they are mentioned in the newspapers as [...]
In the early 1950’s summer fun for kids could be hard to find. Swimming pools, movie theaters, and county fairs closed. Organized team sports were often non existent. Why? Polio. Polio epidemics raged every few years, peaking in Iowa in 1952 with 3,564 cases. Most affected escaped with flu like symptoms, but many less fortunate [...]
