by Beth Ann Herker Schumacher, Clear Lake Historical Society
The entire community of Clear Lake is cordially invited to attend the rededication of our beloved seawall and the dedication of the recently received plaque on Friday, Sept. 1, at 1 p.m. at the Seawall. On Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, the National Historic Landmarks Program of the National Park Service placed the Seawall on the National Register of Historic Places. Clear Lake’s seawall was constructed in May of 1936.
The famous White Pier dance hall, of the early 20th century, was located at the site of the current Seawall until the dance hall was destroyed by a tornado on Aug. 27, 1931.
The damage to the White Pier was extensive and the building was razed. The task of the community leaders was now to decide what to do with the open land west of the City Park. The view of the lake was exceptional and the public needed to be able to enjoy it. The area remained basically undeveloped for several years as the Park Board investigated ways to make improvements to the area. Constantly keeping the City Council informed, the Park Board was ready to present its proposal to build a “retaining wall” on the footprint of the White Pier. The year was 1935 and the country was caught up in the Great Depression. The construction of what we know as our Seawall, would become a project of the Works Project Administration (WPA) of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Second New Deal. The City Council approved the plan in March of 1936 and the seawall was a reality by May of 1936. The workers for
