Manitowoc, Wisconsin: Sputnik Crashed Here
RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
- Address:
- 610 N. Eighth St., Manitowoc, WI
- Directions:
- North of downtown in an upscale suburb. On US 10 north (8th St. - one-way north), at the corner of Park St, a few blocks south of Hwy 42. A little metal circle in the street marks the spot. There's also a pink granite marker in the sidewalk on the northwest corner. The Rahr-West Art Museum, on the corner, displays the replica.
- Hours:
- M-Tu, Th-F 10 am - 4 pm, W 10 am - 8 pm, Sa-Su 11 am - 4 pm. (Call to verify)
- Phone:
- 920-683-4501
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
Results 1 to 5 of 5...
A monument in the sidewalk and a circle in the street mark the spot where a Soviet satellite smacked down. A replica of the space junk is displayed a few steps away. Festival held on the anniversary. Roadsideamerica.com Report...
Visitor Tips and News About Sputnik Crashed Here
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In addition to the large part of Sputnik IV falling on the center line of my hometown's main thoroughfare (as covered in your story), a small piece of the satellite went through the roof of the church a couple hundred feet farther south, causing some minor damage. My father was a church trustee at the time, and was among those who filed an insurance claim for the damage. This likely was the first instance of a claim filed for space debris.
[Jon Teske, 08/28/2017]I saw your article about the Sputnik and wanted to let you know that we have a replica of it at the Manitowoc Area Visitor and Convention Bureau. I work at the Visitor Center.
[Serena, 07/06/2016]
Happened to come here on the date of the crash, September 6th, and discovered that they now have an annual festival. This year it is on the 7th, so we will be stopping back tomorrow. They have an alien pet costume contest and a tin foil costume contest, among other activities.
[Haley H, 09/06/2013]
I travel through Manitowoc a few times a year and have driven right past the Sputnik IV marker in the middle of the road without even noticing it. Other than the sidewalk plaque, there are no signs, etc. marking this treasure. The road marker is just North of the intersection of US 10 North (N. 8th St.) and Park St. The granite plaque is on the Northwest corner of the intersection (in front of the museum).
I do question why the highway department thought it was necessary to start/end the lane stripe right on top.
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Supposedly two replicas were made of the Sputnik chunk that crashed into Manitowoc. One is at the art museum next to where it crashed, the other has been reported at various sites over the years. The Visitor Center (4221 Calumet Ave.) sounds like a good spot for it.