7
2011
2012
Endowment Campaign
2013
2014
2015
Destination Clear Lake
Partnership with AirChoice One
Executives Annual Conference
CL Tel has been pioneering new services for area residents throughout its 108-year-old history. They
are a full service telecom and broadband service provider offering telephone, Internet, long distance,
digital cable, TV, wireless, video conferencing, paging and phone store services.
CL Tel offered phone service in 1878, just two years after it’s invented. They continued expanding their
area and making advancements through the years. In 1982, they ushered in the information age with
a new NEC digital switch. In 1991, they offered cellular phone service, and in 1994 they were the first
in Clear Lake to provide local access to the global Internet. They celebrated their 100th anniversary
by deploying more fiber optic cable. Over the next several years, they continued to upgrade and
expand the fiber optic network, making them pioneers of this incredible innovation and technology
in our area.
CL Tel’s mission is to connect you to the world and your loved ones via advanced technology while
supporting you with professional, friendly, local service.
Clear Lake in 1876, just 2 years
after Alexander Graham Bell
patented the phone
Lake's only island, to the state
of Iowa
undeveloped shoreline and
allowing public use of the
Woodford Ashland Lone Tree
Point Nature Area
prairie and allowing a public
bike trail through the land
Clear Lake Public Library capital
campaign for facility addition
and renovation
Businessman, Truman Woodford, owned a lumberyard in Milwaukee, but opened another in Clear
Lake in 1869. The beauty of the lake and surrounding prairie land drew him to the area. The railroad
had arrived in town by that time and fueled the growth of settlement in Clear Lake, making it
easy for shipping lumber and supplies. His brother, George Woodford, purchased an interest in the
business in 1879. George’s son, C.R. took over as manager in 1890 after the passing of his father.
The business is now in the hands of the fifth generation. Throughout the years, the Woodford,
Ashland, Connell and Lovell families have been involved in the ownership and management of
the business.
As the growth of the business developed over the years, so did the relationship with suppliers and
vendors. Their partnership with Benjamin Moore elevated Woodford Lumber into the category of
innovative and forward-thinking and brought to us the first brand of no VOC paint.
Woodford Lumber is a staple in the Clear Lake Community and works hard for the customer. They
believe in the golden rule of business and look for ways to provide a quality living for all Clear Lake
2016
Destination Clear Lake
2017
Awareness Program