Sioux City in Woodbury County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Sergeant Charles Floyd
Grave Site and Monument
Registered National Historic Landmark
Under the Provisions of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This Site Possesses Exceptional Value in Commemorating
and Illustrating the History of the United States of America
Erected 1960 by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 21, 1935.
Location. 42° 27.755′ N, 96° 22.675′ W. Marker is in Sioux City, Iowa, in Woodbury County. Marker is on S. Lewis Blvd., 0.3 miles Lincoln Way, on the right when traveling south. Located on the south side of the Floyd Monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sioux City IA 51106, 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. Floyd Monument (here, next to this marker); The Death of Sergeant Floyd (a few steps from this marker); Sergeant Floyd Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lewis & Clark Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); First Bride's Grave (approx. 0.3 miles away); Herbert Quick Ravine (approx. 0.4 miles away); MA1 (EXW) John Douangdara (approx. one mile away in Nebraska); Pacific Short Line Bridge (Nebraska Side) (approx. 2.4 miles away in Nebraska). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux City.
Also see . . .
1. Sergeant Floyd Monument (U.S. National Park Service). (Submitted on July 3, 2023.)
2. Iowa NHL Sergeant Floyd Monument - National Archives Catalog.
Statement of Significance:(Submitted on July 3, 2023.)
"Sergeant Charles Floyd was the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to lose his life during the journey to the Pacific and back, 1804-1806. He died August 20, 1804, probably of appendicitis. Floyd was the first American soldier recorded to die west of the Mississippi in the Louisiana Purchase territory.
The expedition returned to Floyd's grave on their homeward journey in 1806. In the years that followed, many travellers visited the site, including: Henry Brackenridge, 1811; George Catlin, 1832; Maximilian, 1833; and John Audubon, 1843.
In 1857 erosion destroyed Floyd's grave and he was reinterred about 200 yards back from the face of the bluff. The remains were transferred to the new Floyd Monument in 1901."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 29, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on July 14, 2021, by J. Gale of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Photos: 1. submitted on July 14, 2021. 2. submitted on February 29, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.