Quality of Life

Mason City & Clear Lake

Mason City and Clear Lake are the perfect complementary cities, offering an exceptional blend of business and fun.  Here are some reasons why the North Iowa Corridor is a great place to live, work and play:

• Clear Lake, a spring-fed lake formed by glacial action some 14,000 years ago, has a surface area of about 3,600 acres and measures seven miles long and two and one-half miles wide.  A mecca of outdoor activity year-round.
• Biking and nature trails, including eight miles of trails through the Lime Creek Nature Center.  Also a popular location for cross country skiing in the winter.
• Downtown Mason City is currently undergoing a significant “streetscape” renovation to the main street through downtown, in order to improve the aesthetics and function of the area.
• Currently undergoing a $20 million refurbishment to its original design, the historic Park Inn in downtown Mason City is the only standing hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the world and will be an operating entity by summer 2011.  The Park Inn and the Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House provide the cornerstones of abundant Prairie School style architecture in Mason City.
• Clear Lake’s historic Main Street has all the offerings of big city, upscale boutiques and bistros in a hometown atmosphere.  On any given weekend you’re sure to find fun, family entertainment in “Cool, Classic, Clear Lake.”
• Multiple theatres, including the North Iowa Area Community College Performing Arts Center, Stebens Children’s Theatre, Mason City Community Theatre, and Cup ‘O Joe at the Clear Lake Arts Center.
• Our young professionals group – North Iowa Connect – is gaining momentum in engaging young people and helping them to get involved in the community through social events and serving as a change agent.
• Strong music tradition, anchored in Mason City by the legacy of native son Meredith Willson, internationally renowned composer best remembered for his Broadway musical “The Music Man,” and in Clear Lake as the home of the historic Surf Ballroom, location of the last concert by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP ‘The Big Bopper’ Richardson.  Since the death of these three entertainers in a plane crash after the concert, thousands of famous musicians have flocked to play at the Surf.