Sioux City in Woodbury County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Peace and Friendship

— Loess Hills National Scenic Byway —

September 26, 2026

1. Peace and Friendship Marker

Inscription.
War Eagle
Waŋbdí Okíčhize is commonly known as War Eagle. While his name means Little Eagle, he was often referred to as War Eagle, which is odd because all through his life he sought to keep peace. He even left his home tribe the Isanti (Santee Sioux) to avoid a battle as to who was to become chief.

Peacemaker
War Eagle served as a riverboat guide on the Mississippi, worked for the American Fur Company, and carried messages for the government during the War of 1812. One of the things War Eagle was most proud of was a silver peace medal he received from President Martin Van Buren in 1837.

Friendship
"Appreciative of the beauties around him, War Eagle would frequently ascend the bluff and sit in quiet meditation as he viewed the panoramic scene that lay before him. When the old chieftain died, his friends selected as his final resting place a favored spot at the summit of the bluff."

Last Sioux Chief to Reside in Iowa
Theophile Bruguier, a trader with the American Fur Company, married two of War Eagle's daughters. Bruguier had a dream about a place where two mighty rivers joined near a bluff. In

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

1849, Bruguier and his two wives built a log cabin at the site. In the fall of 1851, War Eagle passed away. He was buried on the high bluff overlooking the Big Sioux & Missouri Rivers.

View of the Missouri River from War Eagle Park. Photo by Lance Brisbois

Iowa Byways
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway™ is a 220 mile paved route through the Loess Hills. The 16 excursion loops make up an additional 185 miles (some gravel) for the more adventuresome!

Erected by the Gilchrist Foundation, Golden Hills RC&D, Sioux City Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Peace • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 42° 29.634′ N, 96° 27.217′ W. Marker is in Sioux City, Iowa, in Woodbury County. It can be reached from War Eagle Drive north of Grove Street. Located in War Eagle Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4000 War Eagle Dr, Sioux City IA 51103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

September 26, 2026

2. Peace and Friendship Marker

is in Western Iowa and in Loess Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Theophile Bruguier (a few steps from this marker); Chief War Eagle (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Missouri River Trail (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Old Missouri River Trail (about 800 feet away); M.V. Sergeant Floyd (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Lewis & Clark Expedition (approx. 1.8 miles away); Prospect Hill (approx. 1.9 miles away); Veterans' Memorial (approx. 2 miles away in South Dakota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux City.

Additional keywords. Wanbdi Okichize, Wambdi Okicize

War Eagle Monument image. Click for full size.

September 26, 2026

3. War Eagle Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2026. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 7, 2026.