Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway Through Nebraska

Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway

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The Winnebago Pow Wow The Omaha Indian Reservation is located along the byway north of Tekamah. According to oral tradition, the Missouri River was the location where this tribe first settled and have remained in the area for over 400 years. A Harvest Festival Pow Wow is held every August in Macy.

The Winnebago Indian Reservation west of Winnebago is home to a Annual Homecoming Pow Wow held each July that celebrates the homecoming of its last great war chief, Little Priest and 75 of his warriors.

The Pow Wow sports colorful clothing and beautiful singing and dancing in celebration of Little Priest, who was imprisoned in South Dakota along with his warriors after the Winnebago tribe had been uprooted from their Minnesota home and forced to live in South Dakota, and then later in Nebraska. Today, the tribe is is promoting tourism and has developed a large bison herd and visitors center where visitors can learn the cultural importance of bison to the Plains tribal culture.

The Sergeant Floyd Monument Sergeant Floyd Monument Park is located just before entering South Sioux City and commemorates Sergeant Charles Floyd, a volunteer engineer and US soldier on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Floyd had joined the Army in Kentucky on 1803 and accompanied the expedition through Council Bluffs, where they met with local Indian chiefs. In August, Floyd became ill with what many believe was a ruptured appendix. He died on August 20, 1804 and his grave was marked with a cedar post engraved with his name and date of death. Because his grave was located near the Missouri River, erosion caused much of his grave to be washed down the river.

Citizens of the area preserved many of the bones and placed his grave 200 yards east of the original burial site. The 100 foot high obelisk monument was completed in 1901 and registered as the first National Historic Landmark in 1960. Floyd was the only US soldier to die on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

South Sioux City was once known as the "wildest little town on the Missouri" during Frontier days. Today the city features a metropolitan area, but still maintains the friendly feel of a rural small town. Crystal Cove, along the Missouri River, has a boat ramp for fishing boats, swimming beach, picnic area, and a paved walking trail. There are several historic buildings located in the city, including the Meisch House, built in 1888, which is an example of the "square" or "cubic" house. The Emmanuel Lutheran Church was the first Lutheran Church built in the Nebraska Territory. The O'Connor House is a historical two-story brick home, built by Captain Cornelius O'Connor for his wife and eight children.

Though the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway ends at South Sioux City, if you haven’t had enough scenic views, you can check out the Outlaw Trail Byway which begins here and travels through the “Old West” to Valentine along Nebraska Highway 12.

Enjoy your trip along the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway where you can share the path where trappers, traders, and American Indians once lived and traveled.

Scenic Attractions:

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge - The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge provides great sights of wildlife as well as the hull of the Bertrand steamboat that lies buried in a pond and 200,000 cargo artifacts from the 1865-era steamboat. 1434 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555, 712-642-4121, E-mail

Fort Atkinson State Historical Park - Fort Atkinson was the first and largest military post west of the Missouri River, established in 1820 serving as a garrison for some 1,000 soldiers within its walls. Volga River State Recreation Area, 10225 Ivy Road, Fayette, Iowa 52142, 563-425-4161.

Fort Omaha - Fort Omaha was the army headquarters during the wars against the Plains Indians, and the home of General George Crook. Located at 30th and Fort Streets in Omaha, Nebraska. Run by the Douglas County Historical Society, 5730 N. 30 St, #11B, Omaha, Nebraska 68111-1657. General Crook House Museum Phone - 402-455-9990

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge - Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge is a satellite refuge to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge opened in 1996. It is a joint federal and local conservation partnership to restore a portion of the Missouri River habitat that flows through a 2-mile-long channel paralleling the main flow of the river. The site, consisting of about 3,200 acres, is located on the west side of the Missouri River, 3 miles east of the town of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. Located 8 miles north of Omaha, it attracts visitors from throughout the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 69, Fort Calhoun, NE 68023, 402-468-4313. E-mail: Bryan_Shultz@fws.gov

Burt County Museum - Includes the The E.C. Houston House, C.D. Houston House, the Nolana one-room schoolhouse, and the surrounding grounds offer visitors a historic and charming glimpse into the rich heritage of the Burt County Area. Free admission, donations appreciated. Hours: Open 1-5 p.m. Tues., Thurs., and Sat. or by appointment for larger groups. Located on Highway 75 at 319 North 13th Street, Tekamah, Nebraska. (402) 374-1505

Lewis & clark Interpretive Center Sioux City nebraska Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center - From the moment you arrive on the grounds of the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Sioux City, you'll begin your journey back in time...back to the days when the Corps of Discovery made its historic journey up the Missouri River, traveling past present-day Sioux City. Interstate 29, Exit #149, Hamilton Boulevard, Larson Park Rd, Sioux City, Nebraska.

Sergeant Floyd Monument - This 100 foot high stone obelisk memorializes Sergeant Charles Floyd, who died on the 1804 Lewis and Clark Expedition. Overlooking a breathtaking view of the Missouri River on Highway 75 near Glenn Avenue, it is the first historic landmark registered by the U.S. Government in 1960. US Highway 75 & Glenn Ave, Sioux City, Nebraska.

Sergeant Floyd Welcome Center & Museum - This dry docked former Missouri River inspection ship now houses a museum, gift shop and information center. Exit 149 off I-29 to South Larsen Park Road. Winter hours, Daily 9am-5pm. Free admission. 712-279-0198, Interstate 29, Exit #149, Hamilton Boulevard, Larson Park Rd, Sioux City, Nebraska.

Sioux City Art Center - This breath taking 45,000 square foot facility houses a three story glass atrium, six exhibition galleries to house traveling exhibits and a permanent collection gallery for the Center's 900 piece collection. Hours: Tue., Wed., Fri and Sat 10am-5pm, Thu noon-9pm, Sun 1-5pm. 712-279-6272, 225 Nebraska St, Downtown Sioux City, Nebraska.

Sioux City Museum Sioux City Public Museum - The Museum's exhibits include Sioux City history and Indian artifacts. Hours: Wed.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 1-5pm. 712-279-6174, 2901 Jackson St, Sioux City, Nebraska.

Also See:

Corps of Discovery - The Lewis & Clark Expedition

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