Clear Lake Historical Society

Image Collection

The friends of the Clear Lake Historical Society and the Clear Lake Public Library have donated hundreds of documents and images relating to Clear Lake.  Some of these images are displayed here.  Select a catagory or just browse this collection.

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Replacement for 1900s building, became Central Elementary in 1935 and replaced with condominiums in 2004

1915 2nd High School

1916 High School School

Bayside Aerial

Billy’s Shoreline Motel

Clear Lake Public Library, opened in 1916 with funds from Carnegie Foundation corner of N 4th and 2nd Ave, Masonic Temple to the left of library

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library-1918

Cerro Gordo Bank 1909

Cerro Gordo State Bank

Bank Building Main and 4th Street, about 1910, Masonic Hall on second level

Cerro Gordo State Bank

Clear Lake Bank

Clear Lake Bank

Iconic scene Water Tower, Lady of the Lake, lake walk

Clear Lake Waterfront

Corner Drug Store 2006

Dairy Queen

Downtown was booming, the power and gas plants on the lake front were gone, the Ford and Chevy garages were busy.

Downtown Aerial circa 1930

Electric and Water Plants

The central utility plants of electrical, coal gas and water were located on the lakefront and the ice storage nearby

Electric-gas Plant 1908

The electric plant, 2 story stone City office and shops, White and Black line piers.

End of Main circa 1900

Ice Storage shed next to power plant destroyed in 1909 fire

Ice Harvest & Storage

1909 fire destroyed ice storage house located on the lake front near the power plant

Ice House after Fire

Street level shops- Clear Lake State Bank, Jefferson Smoke Shop, basement shops- barber, billiards and tavern

IOOF Building on Main Street

Island House Hotel

John Halverson Store

Lake House Hotel

Lake View House

Light House Drive Inn

New elementary school opened in 1930s located on S 8th Street

Lincoln School

Cerro Gordo Bank, Opera House and Halverson Shops, COD Store along 4th Street

Main & 4th Street

Main & 4th Street 1909

Load More

Carnegie Library-1918

Cerro Gordo Bank 1909

Bank Building Main and 4th Street, about 1910, Masonic Hall on second level

Cerro Gordo State Bank

Cerro Gordo State Bank

Clear Lake Bank

Clear Lake Bank

Iconic scene Water Tower, Lady of the Lake, lake walk

Clear Lake Waterfront

Corner Drug Store 2006

Downtown was booming, the power and gas plants on the lake front were gone, the Ford and Chevy garages were busy.

Downtown Aerial circa 1930

Electric and Water Plants

The central utility plants of electrical, coal gas and water were located on the lakefront and the ice storage nearby

Electric-gas Plant 1908

The electric plant, 2 story stone City office and shops, White and Black line piers.

End of Main circa 1900

Ice Storage shed next to power plant destroyed in 1909 fire

Ice Harvest & Storage

1909 fire destroyed ice storage house located on the lake front near the power plant

Ice House after Fire

Street level shops- Clear Lake State Bank, Jefferson Smoke Shop, basement shops- barber, billiards and tavern

IOOF Building on Main Street

John Halverson Store

Cerro Gordo Bank, Opera House and Halverson Shops, COD Store along 4th Street

Main & 4th Street

Main & 4th Street 1909

New Cerro Gordo State Bank, Clear Lake Reporter, Wonder Store, and McGowan Hardware

Main Street 1916

Photo taken from the Rogers Hotel, JB Woodstock Jeweler behind buggy,

Main Street and 3rd 1905

Main Street shoppers looking towards the lake.

Main Street-1870s

On N 4th Street, Woodford Wheeler Lumber to left and empty lot on the right that would be the new Library built in 1916

Masonic Temple circa 1912

Oluf T. Hansen Store

Opera House and Halverson Markets

Patterson, Silsby and Ford Buildings

Phillips Hospital on S 4th Street 10 Beds and Clinics Dr WP Phillips lived next door. Closed in 1950

Phillips Hospital and Residence

Popcorn Stand circa 1920

Woodford Wheeler Lumber

Billy’s Shoreline Motel

Island House Hotel

Lake House Hotel

Lake View House

Oaks Hotel

Oaks Hotel 1915

Outing Club

Silver Boot Motel and Restaurant

Stevens Hotel

Stevens (Oakwood Park) Hotel

Bayside Aerial

Petersen’s Bath House & Toboggan Slide

Surf Ballroom 1935

Surf Ballroom Postcard

Whitaker’s Dance Hall

White Pier

White Pier

Located on North Shore circa 1930s near Surf Ballroom

Witke’s Bathhouse

Dairy Queen

Light House Drive Inn

Witkes Restaurant

Replacement for 1900s building, became Central Elementary in 1935 and replaced with condominiums in 2004

1915 2nd High School

1916 High School School

Clear Lake Public Library, opened in 1916 with funds from Carnegie Foundation corner of N 4th and 2nd Ave, Masonic Temple to the left of library

Carnegie Library

New elementary school opened in 1930s located on S 8th Street

Lincoln School