Clay County Projects

County Reconnaissance Survey:
The Iowa Lakes Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) office in Spencer recently received a Clay County Community Foundation grant to conduct a reconnaissance survey of Clay County’s historic resources. 

The grant involved two phases. Phase one included surveying the communities in Clay County; phase two the agricultural and rural properties.  A partnership was  established to complete this component.  Partners included: Iowa Lakes RC&D and Iowa State University Clay County Extension.

Upon completion, the information will enable a better understanding of current historic resources in Clay County. 

Click here to view the findings and samples of the agricultural survey.

Click here to view findings and samples of the community survey.

If you are a farm owner and still wish to complete the survey forms click below to download the National Barn Alliance Survey Form and Letter. 

Spencer, Old High School, 1914 & Auditorium, 1937:   In May of 2007, RPP was asked to come to the table and assist on a reuse proposal for the Spencer Community School Board.  In August, Community Housing Initiatives (CHI), was brought in as a potential housing developer for the academic wing (1914) and Friends of the Old Spencer High School Auditorium was formed to assist the school district with the rehabilitation of the auditorium (1937).  Photo taken c. 1914 upon completion of the school.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2010.

Rural Preservation Partners has been responsible for bringing in CHI as well as working with the Spencer School Board, architects, and researching the potential for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  RPP filed the site inventory form as well as the National Register Nomination with the State Historic Preservation Office.