Sioux City History & Culture by Bicycle Part 10: Sgt. Floyd Museum.

The Sgt. Floyd Museum used to be a boat the Missouri River Corp of Engineers used for improvement work along the river. She is named for Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only member to die on the Lewis & Clark Expedition in what became present day Sioux City.

After she was decomissioned she became a museum in St Louis, then was put up for sale when the City of Sioux City purchased her to become a museum here. Inside visitors can see the history of Missouri River transportation through rare photos, artifacts and dioramas.

She also houses a life size replica of Sgt Charles Floyd. His head & face was created from his actual skull, before he was intered in the Floyd Monument. His face is identical to what he actually looked like when he was alive over 200 years ago. I will post more on Sgt. Floyd & the expedition later.

The museum sits in permenant dry dock along the river front & right along the bike trail & Chris Larsen Road. Very easy to access by bicycle.

Here is more on the museum:
Sgt. Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center

Sioux City History & Culture by Bicycle Part 11: Sgt. Floyd Monument

Sgt. Charles Floyd was the only member of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, called the Corps of Discovery to die during the trip. The adventure started in 1804 & ended in 1806. Sgt. Floyd died of what today is called appendicitis on Aug. 20, 1804 along the Missouri River at what today is Sioux City, Iowa.

When he died the members of the expedition buried him on what is now called Floyd's Bluff over looking the Missouri River. When the expedition returned to the area 2 yrs. later they had to rebury him because his body had been disturbed by what they thought was wolves.

Over the years Floyd had to be reburied multiple times because the bluff kept eroding away into the valley below. Eventually the poor guy was put in a file cabinet drawer until his permanent monument could be built. When it was he was permanently interred in it which is where he lays to this day. Unfortunately his entire remains are not buried in the monument. Part of his was lost over time because of the problem with keeping him buried on the bluff. Part of him literally washed away down the river.

There is a life size statue of him in the Sgt. Floyd Riverboat Museum & Welcome Center on the Sioux City Riverfront as well as more info. about him at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive center next to the museum.

Every year around Aug. 20 there is a reenactment of Sgt. Floyd's burial as well as a period encampment on the Sioux City Riverfront near the Sgt. Floyd Museum.

The Floyd Monument is not easily accessible by bicycle but with a little navigation & skill can be done. It is on a very busy section of business Hwy 75. If anyone would like to access it by bike please let me know & I'll advise you on the best route.

Here is more on the monument & the pics:
Sergeant Floyd Monument

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.

Sioux City History & Culture by Bicycle Part 2: Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center & Sgt Floyd Museum

Here is Part 2 of what Sioux City has to offer for culture to the people who live here & visitors. This area was a stop during the Lewis & Clark Expedition. The Corps of Discovery went on their expedition from 1804 to 1806, very shortly after the Louisiana Purchase. From 2004 to 2006 we celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the Corps of Discovery. Right before the anniversary the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center was built. Here are some pics. of the outside of it. This is but a taste of what the facility has to offer. To find out more you'll just have to come visit, I'm not going to spoil it for you.

The interpretive center is easily reached by bicycle. There is the Lewis & Clark Multi-Use paved Trail that goes right by it plus Chris Larsen Rd.

It is right next door to the Sgt. Floyd Museum.
Sgt. Floyd was the only member to die on the expedition & is buried in Sioux City atop a bluff high above I-29.

Both facilities are right on the SIoux City Riverfront & have a lot to offer.

Enjoy: