Music history adds to Cerro Gordo charm

By B.J. Smith

The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake may always be remembered as the place where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper rocked their last in 1959, but it is far from the only memorable, historical site in Cerro Gordo County.  (It’s also still rockin’ on a regular basis.)

Both county seat Mason City and nearby Clear Lake make it easy to find the most notable historical spots with informative walking tours. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll to learn about Prairie School Architecture,  the lasting imprint of Frank Lloyd Wright on the community, and Clear Lake’s own colorful history.

Perhaps Mason City’s most famous native son, Meredith Willson is best known for “The Music Man.” Millions know the story and music from the musical’s long run on Broadway and from the movie, which premiered in Mason City in 1962. Willson’s life, career and music are commemorated at the Music Man Square and at Willson’s boyhood home.

Remember the yodeling marionettes and “The Lonely Goatherd” from “The Sound of Music”? Those puppets were the work of world-renowned puppet master Bil Baird, a Mason City High School grad. The MacNider Art Museum here holds the largest Baird collection in the world.

Cerro Gordo County was the birthplace of the farmers’ co-op concept,  which started with the formation of the farmers’ co-operative society in Rockwell.  The county, by the way, is named after the site of an 1847 battle in the Mexican War. The name of that mountain pass and this county means “Fat Hill.”

While the county is rich in agricultural, architectural and musical history, it is also an early adopter of modern wind energy technology. The Cerro Gordo Wind Farm near Ventura was completed in 1999 and produces enough electricity to power 20,000 Iowa homes and businesses.

The county also offers numerous camping and recreation areas, including McIntosh Woods State Park.  If you have never camped in a yurt, you can give it a try right there.

Sources: Cerro Gordo County Online, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Mason City Convention and Visitors Bureau.