Sioux City in Woodbury County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Spirit of Siouxland
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 13, 2017
1. The Spirit of Siouxland Marker
This sculpture commemorates Siouxland's extraordinary response to the crash of United Flight 232 on July 19,1989.
It depicts the rescue of three-year-old Spencer Bailey by Lt. Col. Dennis Nielsen of the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Tactical Fighter Group, one of the many who answered the call that day.
The work was created by Artist Dale Lamphere and was inspired by a photograph shot by Sioux City Journal photographer Gary Anderson.
Erected by The Greater Sioux City Press Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is July 19, 1989.
Location. 42° 29.343′ N, 96° 24.602′ W. Marker is in Sioux City, Iowa, in Woodbury County. Marker is on Larsen Park Road. Marker is located on the riverfront at Larsen Park near the pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sioux City IA 51103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pacific Short Line Bridge (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pacific Short Line Bridge (Nebraska Side) (approx. ¼ mile away in Nebraska); The Lewis & Clark Expedition (approx. 0.4 miles away); M.V. Sergeant Floyd (approx. 0.4 miles away); Prospect Hill
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Spirit of Siouxland sculpture. Sioux City Journal website entry (Submitted on August 28, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. United Airlines Flight 232. Wikipedia entry:
“Landing was originally planned on the 9,000-foot (2,700 m) Runway 31. Difficulties in controlling the aircraft made lining up almost impossible. While dumping some of the excess fuel, the plane executed a series of mostly right-hand turns (it was easier to turn the plane in this direction) with the intention of lining up with Runway 31. When they came out they were instead lined up with the shorter (6,888 ft) and closed Runway 22, and had little capacity to maneuver. Fire trucks had been placed on Runway 22, anticipating a landing on nearby Runway 31, so all the vehicles were quickly moved out of the way before the plane touched down.” (Submitted on July 14, 2018.)
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 13, 2017
2. The Spirit of Siouxland and Marker
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 13, 2017
3. The Spirit of Siouxland
1994 bronze by Dale Lamphere is approx. 6 feet tall.
Via Waterloo/Cedar Falls Journal, 1989
4. The Photograph
Source: NTSB via Wikipedia Commons
5. United Airlines Flight 232
Photo of United Airlines Flight 232 from the NTSB report, with damage highlighted.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 445 times since then and 48 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week July 15, 2018. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 4. submitted on August 28, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on July 14, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
