Sioux City, Iowa: Big Monument to Lewis and Clark's Only Fatality
A 100-foot towering obelisk is perhaps too towering to mark the grave of Sergeant Floyd, historical asterisk on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Look for the rare 15-star, 15-stripe American flag.
Sergeant Floyd Monument
- Address:
- S. Lewis Blvd, Sioux City, IA
- Directions:
- Sergeant Floyd Monument. West edge of the city, on a bluff overlooking the river. On the west side of S. Lewis Blvd between Glenn Ave. and Lincoln Way. If traveling northbound on I-29, exit before the monument (Exit 143) and take an outer road about 2 miles or so north - it's well-marked.
- Hours:
- Park open daily dawn-dusk Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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At the Sergeant Charles Floyd Monument, there is a flag flying identical to the flag that Sgt. Floyd would have defended. It has 15 stars and 15 stripes. Pretty unique flag to see flying these days.
[Dave D., 03/28/2011]
Sioux City is forever connected to the Lewis and Clark expedition by the fact that the only person to actually die on the expedition, Sgt. Floyd, expired here. Historians believe he probably died of appendicitis. A 100 foot obelisk, reminiscent of the Washington Monument, marks the spot of his final resting place, overlooking the Missouri River.
His body was moved three times, and the third time, a society in the early 1900s decided that his grave needed a suitable homage. They raised all kinds of money, and this giant phallic symbol is the result. BTW, there is also an excellent Lewis and Clark interpretive center right off of I-29 here, along the riverfront.
[La Donna, 07/04/2004]Nearby Offbeat Places
Grave of Sioux City's First Bride, Sioux City, IA - < 1 mi.
Tire Man, Sioux City, IA - 2 mi.
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March 2011: Photo Added. The interpretive center, 900 Larsen Park Road, Sioux City, features a statue of Lewis, Clark, and their heroic dog, Seaman. The nearby Sgt. Floyd Riverboat Museum exhibits a life-sized forensic reconstruction of Sgt. Floyd.