Sioux City History and Culture by Bicycle Part 104: Discovery Dogs

As mentioned in the previous post about the Prairie Dog Quest that was during the Lewis and Clark Corps of DIscovery Expedition celebration from 2004 to 2006 there were also statues created called Discovery Dogs as part of the celebration to commemorate the journey that was from 1804 to 1806. These fiberglass statues were painted and decorated with specific themes like the prairie dogs and placed through out the Greater Siouxland area. After they were on public display for a period of time they were auctioned off. Some ended up in private collection never to be seen again by the public but others are still on public display.

The Discovery Dogs were created because of Captain William Clarks Newfoundland dog Seaman. Seaman was an important part of the expedition. One time he even saved the camp by chasing off a bison who had wandered too close. This is mentioned in the journals written during the trip.

Here is the location of where the Discovery Dogs were located while on public display:
Seaman, the Discovery Dogs public art program now on display at 30 locations around Siouxland

I have managed to take photo's of the dogs I know of that are still on public display. Here they are:


The News Hound is on display outside the Sioux City Journal office.












The Discover Art Dog is on display in front of a beauty saln on Pierce St.












Dreamer is on display in front of the Sioux City Art Center.













Hot Fudge Hound is on display in front of the historic Green Gables Resteraunt on the corner of 18th and Pierce Streets.












One Giant Step Dog is on display at Karls Electronics across from Southern Hills Mall in Morningside.

Sioux City History and Culture by Bicycle Part 103: Prairie Dog Quest

Starting in 2004 and ending in 2006 Sioux City along with several other communities along the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Route celerated the 200th Anniversary of the historic trip that was made from 1804 to 1806. Captain's Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to make this trip shortly after the Louisana Purchase. During the trip they made many discovery's and brought back plants and animals white man had ever seen before. One of these animals were prairie dogs.

As part of the celebration during the 200th Anniversary the Sioux City Art Center sponsored a project to have 40 prarie dog statues created out of fiberglass and painted/decorated in various themes to be placed around Sioux City. After a period of time when they were on public display they were then auctioned off. After the auction a majority of the prairie dog statues were put into private collections never to be seen again by the public. But a some are still on public display today.

There are 22 that I know of in this regional area that are still on public display. Keep in mind this is as of 2 years ago. Some of these may no longer be on public display.
1. Prairie Children - located at Motor Parts Central 801 Lewis Blvd.
2. Mister Money - located in one of the Security National Bank branches, I do not know which one.
3. Prairie Dog Blues - located at the Century 21 office on Historic 4th St.
4. Prairie Doordog - located in the front lobby of the Orpheum Theater Building in downtown Sioux City.
5. Downtown Dog - located in front of the Downtown Partners office in downtown Sioux City on Pierce St.
6. Gumball Dog - located at the various First Federal Bank locations.
7. Multi Facted Mozaic Murray - located at the Sioux City Convention Center.
8. Fargo - located at the downtown branch of the Wells Fargo Bank.
9. Charger - located on the campu of Briar CLiff College.
10. Lovey Dog - located at the Siouxland Regional Cancer Center.
11. Prairiewether Lewis - located at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
12. William-Dog Clark - located at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
13. Prairie Dog Tales - located at Sgt. Floyd Museum and Welcome Center.
14. Corn Dog - located at one of the WIlson Trailer locations.
15. Family Dog - located at the Boys and Girls Home of Sioux City.
16. Prairie Dog of the Heartland - located at the offices of Cardiovascular Associates.
17. Prarie Explorer Dog - located at the CNOS office in Dakota Dunes.
18. Generations Dog - located at Regency Square Center.
19. Prairie Perspective - located at Chesterman Company.
20. Tile Dog - located at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.
21. Prairie Dog with Friends - possibly lcoated at the Onawa Chamber of Commerce office in Onawa, Iowa.
22. Nothin' but a Prairie Hound Dog - located at Winnevegas Casino in Winnebago, Nebraska.

There may be others still on public display but these are the only ones I know of right now.

Here is a map of where the statues used to be and where the current ones still are:
Where to find the Prairie Dogs

Here is a list of where the Prairie Dogs are located today:
Here's where oh, where the prairie dogs have gone