100 Years Ago July 1915

Some important facts about Clear Lake for those thinking of moving here.  We have a gas plant, a green house, public library, electric cars, two weekly newspapers, co-opertion creamery, fine brick general hospital, electric light plant, three prosperous banks, splendid fire protection, four large modern hotels, extensive sewer system, will soon have a Masonic Temple, has not had a saloon for 30 years, is in the dairy center of the state, is on the C M and St. Paul Railway, has one mile of paving, fine new $75,000 brick school house, two large public parks and playgrounds, municipal water plant and pumping station, I.O.O.F. Lodge Building costing over $30,000, electric line to Mason City, we cut and harvest more ice than any other city in the state, a wide variety of churches and a population over 2,700.  Who wouldn’t want to live here?

A severe storm hit the area.  Rain fell in torrents.  A lightning strike hit the Harry Cobb barn in Lincoln township and burned it to the ground ruining all the machinery stored inside.  A tree near the Sorenson home was struck, lightning attracted by an iron bed burned several holes in the bed clothing.