Blogger's Forum - Anyone like history?

I do and like to learn something new about it everyday. For example just recently I learned that famed sculpture Gutzon Borglum, (he designed and sculpted Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota), had something to do with the terra cotta sculptures on the Woodbury County Courthouse.

Check out my blog that talks about this and tell me what you think:
http://historyandculturebybicycle.blogspot.com/

I am currently doing a series on William Labarth Steele. The Woodury County Courthouse is perhaps his most famous building as well as one of the most beautiful.

I added a new post about the Davidson Building. Tomorrow I am going to add one about the Williges Building. Both of which Steele designed.

I love American History. Do not really care for World History or European or whatever kind. I could read of the Westward Expansion of the American West all day long.

I love American History. Do not really care for World History or European or whatever kind. I could read of the Westward Expansion of the American West all day long.

I guess you could call what I am posting about on my blog part of American History. Though I doubt you'll find it in any history books, past, present or future. I would classify this as more local history for Sioux City, Woodbury County and the state of Iowa.

Part of the reason I am doing this is a lot of this history is disappearing, quickly. This is my way of helping to preserve it. I believe to build the future we need to look to the past. Another reason is there is not a lot about William L Steele that is known. Sure the Pearl Street Research Center in downtown Sioux City has a lot of info. about him. But very few people have made it publicly known. After I am finished with posting everything I can about the buildings he designed in Sioux City I am considering doing some lectures about him. This may also lead to a book about him. No one has published one yet.

I do but I don't want to be it just yet ;)

I guess you could call what I am posting about on my blog part of American History. Though I doubt you'll find it in any history books, past, present or future. I would classify this as more local history for Sioux City, Woodbury County and the state of Iowa.

Part of the reason I am doing this is a lot of this history is disappearing, quickly. This is my way of helping to preserve it. I believe to build the future we need to look to the past. Another reason is there is not a lot about William L Steele that is known. Sure the Pearl Street Research Center in downtown Sioux City has a lot of info. about him. But very few people have made it publicly known. After I am finished with posting everything I can about the buildings he designed in Sioux City I am considering doing some lectures about him. This may also lead to a book about him. No one has published one yet.

It was interesting to see the artwork of Seaman the Labrador of Lewis & Clark fame. Toledo, Ohio had a similar program a couple of years ago. It featured frogs (I think) scattered around town all with different styles of artwork. It was considered a "tourist attraction" to walk around the downtown area and see as many of these frogs as possible. Hopefully all the while you were shelling out big bucks to restaurants, shops, etc. It only lasted for a year but for the life of me I can not understand the importance of the pig.
I have found that many cities sponsor such an art program. In fact down here in Bradenton, Florida there are geckos of all sizes up to 10 feet long attached to the sides of buildings. Each one more gawdy than the next.

It was interesting to see the artwork of Seaman the Labrador of Lewis & Clark fame. Toledo, Ohio had a similar program a couple of years ago. It featured frogs (I think) scattered around town all with different styles of artwork. It was considered a "tourist attraction" to walk around the downtown area and see as many of these frogs as possible. Hopefully all the while you were shelling out big bucks to restaurants, shops, etc. It only lasted for a year but for the life of me I can not understand the importance of the pig.
I have found that many cities sponsor such an art program. In fact down here in Bradenton, Florida there are geckos of all sizes up to 10 feet long attached to the sides of buildings. Each one more gawdy than the next.

Were the frogs and geckos sponsored? Was there a map of the location of the frogs, etc.? After they were on public display for a time were they auctioned off, some ending up in private collection, never to be seen again? It is sad when that happens.

Not meaning to correct you, but Seaman was a Newfoundland, not a Labrador. According to the journals of the expedition it is believed he was all black. The expedition was from 1804 to 1806. Seaman was not written about in the later journals kept of the journey. It is guessed, after they returned in 1806 the dog likley lived out his life and died of natural causes. But no one really knows.

My series on William L. Steele continues. I recently posted more about buildings he designed. Next will be about the former Knights of Columbus Recreation Center, which is now the Scottish Rite Temple. I'll likely post about it in a day or 2.

It's a big world and all the world's history affects all other regions.. I'd love to do a Civil War bike tour with Historian , and see where that bit of history , happened first hand.. Among the factors that influence our vacations , history, wine, war , and historical artifacts.. Besides , just the interplay of history for histories sake.?.. History makes our world what it is . It's the story of our many conflicts..Military or otherwise... If one does not extract the importance of how history affects our social and economic climate; what good is it..

It's a big world and all the world's history affects all other regions.. I'd love to do a Civil War bike tour with Historian , and see where that bit of history , happened first hand.. Among the factors that influence our vacations , history, wine, war , and historical artifacts.. Besides , just the interplay of history for histories sake.?.. History makes our world what it is . It's the story of our many conflicts..Military or otherwise... If one does not extract the importance of how history affects our social and economic climate; what good is it..

Extracting the importance of hose history affects the social, economic and political climate is one goal I am trying to accomplish by posting about these historical sites in my blog. Another goal I have is to preserve what could soon be lost. A good example is the Crittenton Center building. It may soon be gone, forever. All that may be left of it could be my blog post and what the Sioux City Public Museum and Pearl Street Research Center has on it. At this point it becomes a matter of how easy is the historical data accessed. Through my blog is easier then the museum or research center. Anyone with an internet connection can read my blog. To see what the museum or research center has you have to call or physically visit, not something everyone can easily do.

If you're so inclined to do a Civil War bike tour one place to start may be Pea Ridge in Arkansas. There was a battle there that Confederate General Albert Pike lost. I did not ride when I visited, didn't have my bike, but you can ride on the path or the road way which is only a speed of something like 20 mph.

That would be ok.. But, you'd get more bang per mile if a cyclist centered his/her ride about Penna, Md, and Va...

Were the frogs and geckos sponsored? Was there a map of the location of the frogs, etc.? After they were on public display for a time were they auctioned off, some ending up in private collection, never to be seen again? It is sad when that happens.

Not meaning to correct you, but Seaman was a Newfoundland, not a Labrador. According to the journals of the expedition it is believed he was all black. The expedition was from 1804 to 1806. Seaman was not written about in the later journals kept of the journey. It is guessed, after they returned in 1806 the dog likley lived out his life and died of natural causes. But no one really knows.

As much reading as I have done on Lewis and Clark, I knew Seaman was a Newfie. But for some reason Lab was on my brain.

I do remember the geckos had some map of their locations and the artists name. They are still there gracing the sides of buildings in Bradenton.

As much reading as I have done on Lewis and Clark, I knew Seaman was a Newfie. But for some reason Lab was on my brain.

I do remember the geckos had some map of their locations and the artists name. They are still there gracing the sides of buildings in Bradenton.

Too bad you don't live in an area along the Lewis and Clark Trail. In my area they do re-enactments. The burial of Sgt. Floyd is re-enacted where he is buried, at the Sgt Floyd Monument. Groups also do re-enactments of where the expedition camped. Between here and Elk Point, SD there are at least 3 or groups that do the Corps of Discovery re-enactments in the month of August. Sioux City, the town I live in also has a Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

It is one thing to read about the history but another to be exposed to it. I can tell you I never get bored with it and look forward to the same events every year. 2004 to 2006 was especially interesting for this area because it was the 200th anniversary of the expedition.

Did you know Seaman actually saved the expedition one time? During the night, I think it was just before dawn was breaking a lone bison had wandered too close to the encampment. Seaman chased it off preventing damage, injury and very likely deaths from occuring.

Did you also know Sgt. Floyd was the only white man who died during the journey. It is believed he likely died of what we call appendicitis today. Another interesting fact you may not know about Floyd is he had to be re-buried more then once until they built the monument he is now permently interred in. They buried him in 1804 after he died on a high bluff overlooking the Missouri River. WHen they returend in 1806 he had to be re-buried again because his grave had been washed away by the changing river. Over the years as the area developed he was re-buried a few more times. It eventually got to the point where something permenant had to be done. So it was decided to build the monument. While money was being raised and as construction of the obelisk was being built the poor guy ended up in a file cabinet drawer in an downtown Sioux City office building. Also as a result of his early graves being washed out parts of his remains were forever lost.

The historical tid-bits I posted above is not something you'll find in history books. Too bad, because it is all important and should be known by all who study it.

It's impossible to learn something new about history!

It's all old news.

But, it sure is fun rediscovering the old news.......

It's impossible to learn something new about history!

It's all old news.

But, it sure is fun rediscovering the old news.......

So you mean to tell me you knew the remains of Sgt. Floyd ended up in a file cabinet drawer in a downtown Sioux City office building until the monument he is now buried in was finished? If you knew this, please cite your source. I'd love to know how you knew, when very few people in this city even know this. If you did not know, then how can you say this is not learning something new about history? Or learning about something historical you did not know before, ie learning new history? Prior to me posting about it, you didn't know anything about it.

Too bad you don't live in an area along the Lewis and Clark Trail. In my area they do re-enactments. The burial of Sgt. Floyd is re-enacted where he is buried, at the Sgt Floyd Monument. Groups also do re-enactments of where the expedition camped. Between here and Elk Point, SD there are at least 3 or groups that do the Corps of Discovery re-enactments in the month of August. Sioux City, the town I live in also has a Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

It is one thing to read about the history but another to be exposed to it. I can tell you I never get bored with it and look forward to the same events every year. 2004 to 2006 was especially interesting for this area because it was the 200th anniversary of the expedition.

Did you know Seaman actually saved the expedition one time? During the night, I think it was just before dawn was breaking a lone bison had wandered too close to the encampment. Seaman chased it off preventing damage, injury and very likely deaths from occuring.

Did you also know Sgt. Floyd was the only white man who died during the journey. It is believed he likely died of what we call appendicitis today. Another interesting fact you may not know about Floyd is he had to be re-buried more then once until they built the monument he is now permently interred in. They buried him in 1804 after he died on a high bluff overlooking the Missouri River. WHen they returend in 1806 he had to be re-buried again because his grave had been washed away by the changing river. Over the years as the area developed he was re-buried a few more times. It eventually got to the point where something permenant had to be done. So it was decided to build the monument. While money was being raised and as construction of the obelisk was being built the poor guy ended up in a file cabinet drawer in an downtown Sioux City office building. Also as a result of his early graves being washed out parts of his remains were forever lost.

The historical tid-bits I posted above is not something you'll find in history books. Too bad, because it is all important and should be known by all who study it.




How nice to live along the trail of Lewis and Clark. In 2003 I flew to Minneapolis and then rented a small motor home. I traveled west trying to follow the trail wherever I could. Even used one lane dirt roads just to stay as close as I could to the original. Many areas along the way have Historical Markers about the highlights of the excursion. Most were of the "Lewis and Clark camped near here" type of markers though as it was hard to really recognize their exact trail due to the changing of the river.

One of the many highlights of my trip was Sitting Bulls Monument and burial site just west of the Missouri on a high bluff. I remember the items left on the base of the obelisk by others as a tribute. The items were never touched or taken by anyone. Dollar bills (and bigger) were folded neatly and left between the stones for the spirit of Sitting Bull. It is a lonely place overlooking the river with nothing around but vast expanse of prairie land. Most of the land west of the Missouri in northwest South Dakota is reservation land. . .and desolation.

Do you recommend any books that are factual accounts of the Lewis and Clark travels? The journals I have. Any links to sites along your neck of the woods to interesting areas pertaining to the same?

Thanks