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Manitowoc, Wisconsin: Sputnik Crashed Here

A circle in the street marks the spot where a Soviet satellite smacked down. There's also a plaque in an adjacent sidewalk and a monument plaza on the lawn of a nearby art museum, which displays a replica of the space junk. Festival held on the anniversary.

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Sputnik IV plaque.

Sputnik Crashed Here

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]

Where Sputnik IV crashed.

Sputnik Crashed Here

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.

[Mark Bertieri, 10/24/2007]

Sputnik Crashed Here

Rahr West Art Museum

Address:
610 N. 8th St., Manitowoc, WI
Directions:
Rahr West Art Museum. North of downtown in a suburb. On US-10 N. (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, and a larger monument on the lawn of the Rahr-West Art Museum, which displays a replica of the crashed fragment.
Hours:
Museum M-Tu, Th-F 10-4, W 10-8, Sa-Su 11-4. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
920-683-4501
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

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In the region:
America's Tallest Flagpole, Sheboygan, WI - 26 mi.

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