plane crash site of buddy holly

My husband and I stopped here on our way back home from a road trip. It was so worth the stop. We hiked the almost half mile to the spot where the plane crashed, killing the 3 "rock n roll" stars and the young pilot. It's a minimal tribute but large in it's affect, knowing this is the actual place where this historic moment happened. It seems mostly untouched with the barbed wire fence and corn surrounding you.

I have been a fan of Buddy Holly’s music since I was a teen-ager. I’m not sure how that came to be. My guess is I picked it up from my older siblings.Buddy Holly (real last name was spelled Holley) died in a tragic plane crash Feb. 3, 1959, about five miles northwest of Clear Lake, Iowa. The 22-year-old Texan had performed at the Surf Ballroom earlier that evening. Holly, JP “Big Bopper” Richardson and Ritchie Valens were on the small plane piloted by Roger Peterson. None of the four survived. The Big Bopper was 28 and Valens was 17.Holly wasn’t supposed to be on the plane that night, but his back-up band member, Waylon Jennings, gave up his seat. The crash inspired the song “American Pie,” by Don McLean in the early 1970s. It mentions “the day the music died.” This is often referenced because of the influence Holly had on early Rock and Roll.Lisa and I visited the Surf Ballroom previously when we were passing through the area. But, I’ve always wanted to visit the crash site to pay my respects.While in North Iowa recently, we were escorted around the area by a friend from Mason City, Iowa.She took us to the crash site. It was a GPS challenge on our phones, but we found it. For everyone’s information, it is located near 315th Street and Gull Avenue.A signpost resembling Buddy Holly’s black-rimmed glasses marks the crash site entrance. The site is on private property, but the owner lets people access the site without issues. The actual crash site is about a quarter-mile into the field. So, be ready for a short walk.Fan memorials are located at the site. People really loved and still love these guys. The memorials are well made. I thought it was pretty nice that someone created a memorial for the pilot, too.As a fan, this was an opportunity to mark off an item on my list of things Buddy Holly. I eventually want to make our way to Lubbock, Texas, Holly’s hometown and where he is buried.

On a freezing cold December day, I walked the half mile thru the stumbled cornfield to the "memorial" site of Buddy Holly's plane crash. There's not much there, really.........a stainless steel guitar with their names and an accompanying stainless steel set of records. But, for those who go, it's not really the memorial that brings you there; it's the memory of a part of your youth when the world was a lot more simple and innocent. I've wanted to visit here since the first time I heard Don McLean's "American Pie"...........and despite the minus 2 degree temperatures, it was worth it. If you're in northeast Iowa and you are of that age, this is a stop that touches you for reasons you can't explain. It takes longer to find it than needed to spend there, but I'm glad I did

If your close to Clear Lake and your old enough to know who he was, you HAVE to go se the crash site. Just 5 minutes from town and close to I-35. There's not a lot to look at except the little memorial but it's the thought of being there. If you see this, go see the Surf Ballroom in town also.

Walked to the site on a beautiful Fall day. Had the entire spot to ourselves. Very moving tribute to those fine lost Musicians. Worth going to, make it a point to go. Really worthwhile. Make sure to go to the Surf Ballroom while in town.

Chanced to see this on a road trip from Canada to St Louis. Easy find down some beautiful Iowa country roads. Loved the walk through the cornfields. Wish I would have brought a momento to leave behind. Many people did and I enjoyed seeing what was there. Didn't know his music but knew he was a legend. RIP Buddy Holly.

A little trek (about a half mile) to get to the sight between corn fields but worth it. There is a path, but good footwear is advised.

Not much to the site itself, but to spend a few minutes in silence thinking about what the site represents is powerful.

No signage so you have to be a fan and do your research to find it. Once there the 1/2 mile walk through the corn to the actual site is quite reflective.

Had some time to see this site. Not too far off I-35. Down a few gravel roads. Very interesting!! If you drove by, you'd never know what these glass rims are doing at the edge of a Korn field though.

I liked the idea that one had to walk through a cornfield to get to the crash site. Once there it was a bit disappointing because of the litter and disrespect shown.

My friends and I visited the Surf Ballroom first, which I would definitely recommend. It's free (there's a $5 suggested donation) and loaded with memorabilia, not just from the three musicians who died in the plane crash, but from many of the artists who have played there before and since. The Surf is still an active concert venue (the day we were there, they were readying the stage for Sebastian Bach). I don't know why any music fan would visit the crash site without going to the Surf. It's less than five miles away. As others have indicated, it's about a half mile walk on a path through a cornfield to get to the actual crash site. The memorial is small, but

This isn't that far off the beaten path and to me worth seeing. I actually visited it twice as the first time I thought I saw the "Crash Site" but realized I didn't see the actual crash site. There are two memorials. When you first arrive to the spot - roadside - you will see a Memorial of Buddy Holly's glasses...that isn't the actual crash site. You then need to walk a 1/2 mile through the corn fields to the actual crash site where Memorial #2 is. I was disappointed to see some people were not respective of the site and had left trash and even saw tire tracks which is very unfortunately since this is private property and the farmer is being considerate enough to let people go there so please leave things as you find them.

If you're already in the area, it's worth the stop to see the crash site and memorial to Buddy Holly. We went while visiting Clear Lake & McIntosh Woods State Park because we figured we probably would never get another opportunity to see this historic site.You have to drive on unpaved roads to get there. Here are directions:From Highway 18 in Clear Lake, Iowa, you turn north on 8th Street. The town gives way to cornfields. Take it to 310th Street, which is a gravel road, and turn right (east). Turn left (north) on Gull Avenue. You'll pass some grain bins on the left, and then you'll see a fence. Right there by the fence is a sculpture of a large pair of Buddy Holly glasses that marks the trail head. From there, it's a short walk along a corn field to get to the site. It's really just a little plaque and small sculpture. We stayed about 5 minutes before turning around and heading back.

It's a 'smaller than you'd expect' memorial but still pretty cool to visit. It does make you sad to think about what it is and why it's there. It's a half mile walk down a dirt traail so dress accordingly. On a warm day, shorts and sandalls work fine.