Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Clear Lake (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Surf Ballroom, Fort Custer Maze, and Clear Lake Fire Museum. Also, be sure to include Central Gardens of North Iowa in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Clear Lake (Iowa).
Table of Contents
Surf Ballroom
Live music venue in Clear Lake, Iowa. The Surf Ballroom is a Historic Rock and Roll Landmark at 460 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake, Iowa, United States. The Surf is closely associated with the event known colloquially as "The Day the Music Died" – early rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson gave their last performances at the Surf on February 2, 1959, as part of the "Winter Dance Party Tour".
On September 6, 2011, The Surf Ballroom was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2021, it was named a National Historic Landmark.[1]
Address: 460 N Shore Dr, 50428 Clear Lake
Fort Custer Maze
The Fort Custer Maze was a 2-mile long maze enclosed within an 1850s western style fort located in Clear Lake, Iowa. It closed in October 2015 after being in operation for 15 years.[2]
Clear Lake Fire Museum
History museum, Museum
Address: 112 N 6th St, Clear Lake
Central Gardens of North Iowa
Garden, Relax in park, Park
Address: 800 2nd Ave N, 50428-1711 Clear Lake
Elks-Rogers Hotel
Hotel. The Elks-Rogers Hotel, also known as Park Hotel of Clear Lake, was a resort hotel in Clear Lake, Iowa built in 1901. It was "a classic piece of late Victorian architecture often found in the trans-Mississippi West." It had brick walls, fan windows, and a large porch with Doric columns.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. At the time of its nomination to the National Register, it was the last surviving resort hotel of its era in the state, because the others had been demolished.
This structure has been demolished. A neighboring business location reported that it was torn down in about 1997. A modern brick structure replaced it and is the location for the VFW.
It is still listed in the National Register.[3]
Rogers-Knutson House
Building. The Rogers-Knutson House is a historic building located in Clear Lake, Iowa, United States. Built in 1895, the Queen Anne Victorian house was built for Francis M. Rogers. He was a farmer, served in the Civil War, was the clerk of court and ran a clothing store in Mason City before he bought the private First National Bank in Clear Lake in 1889. He went on to serve on the board of education, city council, and as mayor of Clear Lake. Clarence and Hazel Knutson bought the house in 1920. Clarence was also a banker and served as mayor. Knutson worked in the family hardware store, served in the Iowa Legislature, and served as the president of the Iowa Hardware Mutual Insurance Company from 1931 to 1960. Hazel Knutson was involved with a variety of civic clubs and organizations, including conservation efforts. She also served as president of the Iowa League of Women Voters. Howard and Francie Sonksen bought the house in 1972. Howard was a teacher and Francie worked from home as a massage therapist. They brought the home back to its original glory, such as removing the wall-to-wall carpeting, refinishing the beautiful wood floors, restoring the solarium and the outside pond pumps back to working order.
The house features a variety of Late Victorian architectural elements. It follows an irregular plan that includes Eastlake incised bargeboards and porch fretwork, and Queen Anne leaded, etched and colored windows and decorative stickwork on some of the gable ends. The house has an exuberant roofline that features a jumble of gables, gabled dormers, and jerkinhead dormers. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[4]
John L. Etzel House
Building in Clear Lake, Iowa. The John L. Etzel House is a historic building located in Clear Lake, Iowa, United States. Etzel was a local merchant and financier. He was an incorporator and served as president of the Cerro Gordo State Bank. He and his brother George founded Clear Lake Electric Light and Power Company and he served as its president. Etzel was appointed the local postmaster in 1885. He was the first person to own this house, which is an example of late Victorian eclectic design. It was one of seven similar houses that were built by local banker Frank Rogers between 1890 and 1910. Completed in 1894, the two-story frame house features an irregular plan. The second story of the main facade is cantilevered over the first story, and supported by four ornate brackets. The gabled front porch, which extends beyond the side of the house, has turned posts and gingerbread ornamentation. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The home was purchased in 1990 by Roberta and Joseph Rich who painstakingly have restored the porches and exterior to its original look and styles. They continue the upkeep of the home today.[5]