2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

PARKER HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Parker Historical Society of Clay County has a mission to “collect, preserve, and interpret local Clay County history for the education and enjoyment of the public.” The collections are displayed in two locations, the Clay County Heritage Center and Parker Museum. In the Parker Museum are displays of architecture closely resembling how homes in the past would have looked. The beautiful Craftsman style house that the Parker Museum resides in was built in 1916 for the Roy Webb family. Mr. Webb was the first president of the Clay County Fair Association. In 1928 James and Cordelia Parker purchased the house. The Parker Historical Society of Clay County came to exist when the Parker family offered the house for use as a museum in honor of the pioneers who settled the prairies and an example of early living conditions in Clay County. In 1971 the house was officially opened at 300 East 3 rd Street as the Parker Museum. Due to growing collections of artifacts and limited space in the Parker Museum and adjoining Duroe Building, the Parker Historical Society began exploring options for additional display space.

Parker Historical Museum

Clay County Heritage Center

After an extensive search an opportunity presented itself to expand into a building with prime frontage along Grand Avenue in Downtown Spencer; something the Parker Museumwas missing. Upon completion of a fundraising campaign and remodeling efforts, the Clay County Heritage Center opened to the public in 2012. This new facility and extension of the Parker Museum offers handicap accessibility, three new exhibit galleries, the Rotary Research Room, an Archive Library and the Bob Keir Meeting Room.

RELIGIOUS OPPORTUNITIES The Spencer community and surrounding area is served by the following places of worship: Dayspring Assembly of God, 1410 West 18 th Street Ninth Street Baptist Church, 301 W. 9 th Street Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1111 4 th Ave. W. First Christian Church, 701 East 18 th Street Crosswinds - Free Church of America, 104 E. 4 th Street Jehovah’s Witnesses Church, 1320 W. 18 th Street Bethany Lutheran Church (ELCA), 15 W. 14 th Street Christ the King Luth. Church (LCMS), 500 4 th Ave. SW Faith Lutheran Church (LCMC), 2912 Highway Blvd. First English Lutheran Church (LCMS), 1311 East 18 th St.

First English Lutheran Church

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NW Iowa Planning & Development