Sergeant Floyd Monument: A Sentinel of History

The Sergeant Floyd Monument commemorates Sergeant Charles Floyd, Jr., the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to perish during the Corps of Discovery's epic journey. Floyd, a dedicated soldier and journal keeper, succumbed to illness, likely appendicitis, on August 20, 1804, near present-day Sioux City. He was buried with military honors on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, a site forever named Floyd's Bluff. Erosion threatened Floyd's original burial site, leading to multiple reinterments before the construction of the monument. In 1901, a 100-foot obelisk of Kettle River sandstone was erected as a lasting memorial. The monument stands as the second-tallest obelisk in the United States, after the Washington Monument. In 1960, it became the first National Historic Landmark, solidifying its place in American history. Today, the Sergeant Floyd Monument is part of a 23-acre park that offers visitors a chance to reflect on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the sacrifices made by its members. The site provides stunning views of the Missouri River valley and the surrounding landscape. Interpretive plaques detail Floyd's life, the expedition's journey, and the monument's history. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions such as the Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center to further immerse themselves in the history of the Corps of Discovery.