Near Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Buddy Holly Crash Site
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 21, 2019
1. Buddy Holly Crash Site Marker
Buddy Holly
Ritchie Valens
Big Bopper
2-3-59
Coral
Peggy Sue
Mercury
Chantilly Lace
Del Fi
Donna
Roger Peterson
Feb 3, 1959
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1959.
Location. 43° 13.222′ N, 93° 22.885′ W. Marker is near Clear Lake, Iowa, in Cerro Gordo County. It is on Gull Ave near 315th St. Park at the crossroads and walk into the field .4 miles on a grass path between a field and a fence. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clear Lake IA 50428, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Three Stars Plaza (approx. 5.6 miles away);
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. On private property but open to the public
The tragic crash happened there in 1959. The owners of the property have welcomed visitors for many years to check it out. Fans have left many personal items at the pair of glasses (the entrance point) as well as the actual memorial. There is a place to park at the intersection of Gull Avenue and 315th (known as Don McLean's American Pie) and there are public restrooms. It is about a half-mile walk to the actual crash site from the dark-rim glasses. (Recommended: wear boots if the grounds are wet and muddy)
— Submitted June 23, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 21, 2019
2. Buddy Holly Crash Site Marker
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 21, 2019
3. Buddy Holly Crash Site Marker
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 21, 2019
4. Entrance to the Crash Site.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 1,177 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 29, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
