Kathy Holstein

Where Your Dreams Come Home

Spencer, IA Area Guide

General Info

Country charm and modern life thrive next to each other in Spencer, enhanced by majestic rolling farmlands of this northwest corner of the state. Dotted with picture pretty lakes and wooded shorelines, the landscape is enhanced by downtown historic buildings and the town’s cultural flair. Listed in The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America, a comfortable lifestyle and abundant recreation areas, Spencer is a great place to raise a family.

Just a 15 minute drive away from Iowa’s Great Lakes area, Spencer is a great place for year round fun. Residents and visitors can enjoy picturesque biking and skiing trails, and scenic campgrounds as well as bass fishing. The natural beauty of the town and its surrounding area along with year round cultural events make Spencer a four star vacation spot. Golf courses, parks, playing fields and a booming economy are available to residents and visitors alike, making for a great place to live and work.

To learn more about Spencer, visit: http://www.spencer-ia.com/cityinfo.php

Spencer & Clay County History

Clay County is a crossroads for historical events and routes from Hwy 18 and Hwy 71. In 1855, the first settlers discovered this fertile northwest Iowa terrain as a suitable place to establish their homes to fulfill their dreams. Clay County, officially organized in 1858, found the majority of its early settlers in the southwestern corner. In May 1860, Peterson was selected as the county seat. The rolling hills in the southern portion of Clay County, however made travel difficult for many. In 1866, the first settlers made their way to flat prairie area which is now known as Spencer. As more settlers followed this northern trek, it was petitioned and agreed to relocate the county seat to Spencer. In 1871, Spencer was officially settled as the county seat of Clay County. The courthouse, built in 1901, still stands today. Within only 30 years of existence Clay County was gifted to have 84 schools throughout the county and the population had blossomed to over 1,500.

In 1859 George E. Spencer gave his name to the City of Spencer. In 1878, the first railroad was built through the black fertile prairie of Spencer and in less than a year the settlement grew from 300 people to a bustling town of 1,000.

The Clay County Agriculture Society was organized in 1879 and was significant to the history of Spencer. In 1917, the Clay County Fair Association was formed and since that time it has grown to the greatest county fair in the world. The nine-day fair attracts more than a quarter of a million visitors.

To learn more visit: http://www.spenceriowachamber.org/communityinfo.htm

Spencer Nearby Attractions & Activities

Parker Museum

Local citizens along with the Reverent and Mrs. Parker of Spencer established the museum in 1960. Artifacts were first exhibited on the second floor, with the first floor of the building housing the Spencer Community School District, but realizing the museum would need a permanent home, Reverend and Mrs. Parker made arrangements to donate the house and the property surrounding it to the Parker Historical Society when they no longer need it. For more information, visit: http://www.parkermuseum.org/

Parks and Recreation

A beautiful nature area for fishing, hiking and bird watching is available at Stolley Park. Hundreds of kids and adults alike enjoy baseball and softball at Pederson Park. There are fields that are used extensively from May-September by patrons of all ages. During those months, the population equivalent of Spencer goes through Pederson on a weekly basis! Talk about a busy place!

To learn more about Spencer’s parks visit: http://www.spenceriowacity.com/parksandrec.php

Events Calendar

 Events from Art Exhibits to the Holiday Open House on Mainstreet, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy throughout the year!

For complete listings of events in Spencer, visit:http://www.spenceriowachamber.org/calendarmain.html

To learn more about Spencer, visit: http://www.spenceriowacity.com/index.php