Sioux City History & Culture by Bicycle Part 12: Lewis & Clark Discovery Corps

Every year, around August 20 there is a reenactment & period encampment of the Lewis & Clark Discovery Corps in Sioux City. It is to commemorate the Corps of Discovery expedition from stop in this area where Sgt. Charles Floyd is buried. The members set up a period style camp, complete with black smith shop, tents & weapons. They even use period style eating utensils, plates, cups & cook their food the same way it was cooked by the expedition team over 200 yrs. ago. The encampment is usually right next to the Sgt. Floyd Museum & Welcome Center along the Sioux City Riverfront. Which as I have mentioned in previous postings is along Chris Larsen Rd. & the multi use trail.

The only reason the expedition stopped in this area is so they could bury Sgt. Floyd when he died on Aug. 20, 1804. They also perform a reenactment of his burial ceremony at the Floyd Monument, where Sgt. Floyd is now permanently interred.

There are other reenactments/encampments all along the route the expedition took over 200 years ago. The next closest one is in Elk Point, about 25 miles north of Sioux City, where the expedition stopped to elect a new Sgt.