Movie Storm Lake

[Azalee Freas]

StormLake is a city in and the county seat of Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States.[2] The population was 11,269 in the 2020 census, an increase from 10,076 in the 2000 census.[3] Located along the northern shore of the Storm Lake reservoir, the city is home to Buena Vista University, King's Pointe Waterpark Resort, the Living Heritage Tree Museum, and the Santa's Castle holiday attraction. It is the principal city of the Storm Lake micropolitan area.

Storm Lake's first European settler, Abner Bell, arrived in 1856, and the city was officially incorporated in 1873.[4] Though early settlers found no natives permanently occupying the land, the area around the lake was likely used for fishing and hunting by tribes traveling from the north. Centuries prior to European colonization, the area was home to the Mill Creek indigenous culture.[5] Railroad magnate John Insley Blair platted out land in Storm Lake in the 1870s. During the same decade, the Illinois Central Railroad was constructed through the town.[6]

The city of Storm Lake is named for the lake where it is said a trapper experienced a severe storm.[7] An alternate story claims the lake took its name after two star-crossed lovers from opposed Native American bands paddled out for a secret rendezvous, only to be drowned as a sudden storm blew in.[8]

The 1920s and 1930s saw economic and industrial growth, with the town remaining relatively unaffected by the Great Depression.[9] During the 1940s, a prisoner-of-war camp was temporarily established in Storm Lake.[10] In 1956, the main building of the Buena Vista University campus burned down. The central brick archway was salvaged and remains standing.[11]

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Storm Lake's population was estimated at 11,269, up from 10,600 for the 2010 Census and 10,078 in 2000. Citing steady growth and other sources, city officials suggest that an accurate population count would be 13,000 or more. Storm Lake is considered the most ethnically diverse city in Iowa, with over 60% of the population self identifying as non-white,[30] a dramatic change from 80% identifying as white in the 2000 census, although 21% were of Latin-American origin, of which almost all were Mexican.[31]

Tyson Foods operates a hog slaughterhouse, meat packing plant, and turkey processing plant in the city. As of 2020, the plant employed over 2,500 workers and accounted for about 3.5% of US pork production.[32][33] The plant originally opened in 1935 and was purchased by Hygrade Food Products in 1952. In 1982, it was sold to Iowa Beef Processors, which was subsequently acquired by Tyson in 2001.[34]

The Storm Lake Community School District operates five local public schools, including a high school, a middle school, an elementary school, an early elementary school, and an early childhood center. As of the 2023 school year, the Storm Lake Community School District served 2,908 students. Spanish was the most spoken language within the school district, followed by English, Pohnpeian, Karen, and Lao.[40]

Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake. As of 2023, the university has 1,959 students on a 60-acre (24 ha) campus within Storm Lake. The city hosts a satellite campus for Iowa Central Community College, including an industrial training center established in 2021.[42]

The community has a twice-weekly newspaper, the Storm Lake Times Pilot. The publication received the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing for a series on the Iowa agricultural industry.[43] Storm Lake's first newspaper, the Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune, was founded in 1896 and ran for over 125 years before being bought by the Storm Lake Times in 2022.[44] KAYL and KKIA radio serve the community, as well as a university radio station, KBVU.[45] A Spanish-language newspaper, La Presna, also covers the area.[46]

Tee off at beautiful Sunrise Pointe nine-hole course on 40 acres adjacent to the lake and parks system. The course was redesigned with wider fairways and manicured greens. Signature hole #6 doglegs left along a picturesque wetland habitat and opens to a shimmering pond. The clubhouse offers refreshments and multiple sports screens. Carts and rental clubs are available. Ask about footgolf play on select dates.

Pirates Pointe Mini Golf is the perfect family attraction. Play 18 holes amid pirate-themed grounds featuring a secret cave, a shipwrecked schooner, waterfall and more. Get your picture with our host buccaneer. The course is accessed through Sunrise Golf Course clubhouse, from Memorial Day through October, weather permitting.

Storm Lake attracts boating enthusiasts of all kinds. From kayaks to jet skis to pontoon boats to speed boats towing ski enthusiasts, everyone is welcome. A double access ramp is located in Sunset Park near the Sunrise Campground. Boater services, fuel and access ramp are available at Lakeside Marina near Sunrise Park.

The Cross Country Ski Trails are built and maintained for the public's use and enjoyment by the City of Storm Lake Parks Department. Weather permitting the Parks Department will groom a ski trail through the Sunrise Pointe Golf Course and Sunrise Pointe Campground area.

Storm Lake Disc Golf Course is located in Mandeville Park on the Lakeside, Storm Lake border and is joint effort of the City of Lakeside and the City of Storm Lake. The course features nine (9) holes of varying degrees of difficulty that will challenge the more experienced golfer while providing a opportunity for those new to the game to develop their skills.

The holiday season showplace is a beloved Storm Lake tradition that brings out the child in everyone. A 1905 former Carnegie Library houses Santa's Castle, which is open from Thanksgiving Day until the end of December each year for self-guided tours. The Castle hosts one of the largest collections of antique holiday animation in the country, and children are invited to meet Santa and receive a free book signed by the holiday hero. Tour groups may schedule visits in the off season.

This unique tour of history as told by the descendants of trees that stood by quietly witnessing the history of the world is a great place to spend an afternoon. Enhance your visit to the Storm Lake Heritage Tree Museum by downloading the audio tour and doing some research before your visit.

Nature lovers will enjoy this site carved out of the woodland at Little Storm Lake, near Frank Starr Park. A winding walking trail marked by informative kiosks leads to a three-story-tall observation tower with a scope for close up viewing of the scenery and wildlife of this marsh preserve. A boardwalk leads far out into the marsh, inviting exploration. Free access any time.

Witter Gallery is a public art gallery with a new themed exhibit each month. The Witter Gallery also offers youth and adult art classes and programs, and a number of special events throughout the year. Admission is free and there is always something new to see. Located in the Storm Lake Public Library building, 609 Cayuga Street.

The Buena Vista University Art Gallery, located on campus in the Social Sciences and Art building, is open to the public free of charge. The gallery supports and expands awareness and encourages dialogue with many innovative exhibits throughout the year. The shows feature art by students and creators from around the country.

The Storm Lake Public Library, conveniently located in the downtown area, is a welcoming and comfortable place to browse a vast collection of books, audio books, DVDs, puzzles and more. A teen corner is equipped with games and a video game system. The library also regularly offers film series viewings, reading clubs, a textiles group, Spanish language collection and Storytime events or robot workshops for children. The facility provides a computer lab available to the public and a telehealth facility available by appointment.

The Storm Lake Municipal Band is a community tradition, performing free concerts at the Sunset Park Bandshell from spring into early July each year. Concerts are held on Sunday afternoons and feature everything from traditional marches to modern showtunes and movie themes. Concerts are held during many of the summer events with rock and country bands, and during the academic year, the local schools and university offer band, choral and jazz performances open to the public. Several local venues host musical performances of their own.

Lake Fish Survey DataData from the most recent fisheries survey of this lake is provided on this external web site. This data may include information from various netting surveys and/or electroshocking surveys. Data includes numbers of fish sampled, and fish size ranges. Not all lakes are sampled every year.

"We took a trip just to get out of town. We wanted a water park and I am very particular about hotel rooms and their cleanliness. Room was great, water park was great, restaurant and service were great too! Beautiful property and great amenities. Thanks for the great getaway. We will definitely be back again!!!!" Kaiti B - TripAdvisor

"Rooms are huge and location is spectacular! Restaurant is also great and facilities are clean. Would definitely stay again. We enjoyed our stay so much we didn't want to leave. Such a lovely community this hotel is in." Lu S. - TripAdvisor

"Great daily getaway! Friendly staff! Fun clean waterparks! Indoor and outdoor parks make sure the weather doesn't ruin the fun. Really nice park and light house to look over the lake. Easy access to the lake if you have a boat." Baxter J. - TripAdvisor

"Clean room and facility. Pleasant staff and the restaurant was good! We will definitely be back again this summer when the outdoor water park is open. The kids enjoyed the indoor water park. The suites are great and the view of the lake was gorgeous!" Sarah N. - TripAdvisor

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