This Iowa landmark is one of 4 (that I remember) that requires a drive in the country, while enjoying the vast stretches of rural beauty. The other 3 are the Estherville Meteorite, the highest point in Iowa (Hawkeye Point at 1670 feet), and the Field of Dreams baseball diamond. 75 years after that fateful plane crash, folks are still coming to the informal shrine to "Where the Music Died". They come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They turn into the small parking lot, not knowing for sure why they're doing it. We arrived as innocent as children, longing for the past. People will come, Ray. OK, that's from Field of Dreams, but it fits. After a brisk walk of about 1/2 mile starting from the big glasses, what I found was a stainless steel guitar and a set of three stainless steel records marking the exact spot where the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & JP ''The Big Bopper'' Richardson came to rest following their final concert at the Surf Ballroom in nearby Clear Lake. A second monument was erected on the 50th anniversary of the tragedy honoring their pilot, Roger Peterson. Waylon Jennings was also at the Surf that day, but gave up his seat to Richardson, and took the bus. When Holly learned that Jennings wasn't going to fly, he said in jest, ''Well, I hope your ol' bus freezes up'' and Jennings responded, also in jest, ''Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes''. This would haunt Jennings for the rest of his life. Dad stayed in the car while I completed my lone pilgrimage. The visit was short, the day was cool, and this fan monument was insightful and worth the trip to this lonely stretch where unfortunate history was made. I hope that any person reading this review has a chance to visit here and the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, which is the site of Buddy Holly's last performance. read more

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Took a detour of the road during my travels today and visited the Buddy Holly Crash Site. Popular spot to stop and view the crazy tragedy that occurred on 2/3/59. The trail head to the crash site (which is located in a corn field) is marked by a large pair of Buddy-Holly type glasses. You can park on the side of the road, and then walk through the corn field on a well-travelled path to the crash site, which has some fan-made memorials there. I placed my sunglasses in the middle of the bridge of Buddy Holly's glasses in the photo attached. True artists and RIP to all that past that day. RIP Highly recommend checking out this spot. Pretty cool to see. read more

Where The Music Died - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Clear Lake, Iowa

So nice of the landowner to allow us to tromp through a path on the edge of the field to get to the crash site. There is a donation box in the parking area by the 'big glasses', but no requirement to donate. Very easy to find and a if you are on the Interstate and have a half hour to spare, you can drive, park, walk, and be back on your way. Subtle, but respectful memorial, which is all the more meaningful if you stop at The Surf Ballroom and see the memorobelia there. I'm a pilot, so very interested in some of the specifics of the accident. Changing weather, and a pilot in over his head seem to have contributed to lead to this tragedy. For more on the accident from pilots' perspectives: https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/the-day-the-music-died/ https://www.aviationsafetymagazine.com/features/the-day-the-music-died/ https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2009/february/pilot/safety-pilot-landmark-accidents-the-day-the-music-died read more

My early morning stop here brought tears to my eyes. I still vividly remember the day the music died as a teenager. Someone invested in a cool pair of Buddy Holly eyeglass frames and place it out front for photo ops. I brought my tripod to take mine. I was surprised to see a young grl already there when I arrived. It's easy enough to find if you have GPS or Waze. The last bit is a well compacted gravel road. I'd be ok riding a Road King to the site although it will be pretty dusty by the time you get outta there. Early spring when they first put down the gravel riding a bike through there could be dicey. It's a short walk to the actual crash site. There's a small memorial there. For me this trip was a check off the bucket list. So glad I finally went. read more

It was a sad but nice memorial to everyone who died at the memorial. The parking lot was nice. I recommend everyone go see this if they are in the area. read more

This is the crash site of three famous 50's music artists and their pilot in February 1959. It is a little off the beaten path, but it's worth going to visit. I wish there was an official plaque there telling their story, but there isn't. It's also a little bit of a walk to and from the glasses to the crash site. More info about Buddy Holly, Ritchie Vallens and the Big Bopper can be found here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_the_Music_Died read more

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Quite the historic little spot sits just north of clear lake in an unassuming corn field off Gull Ave. The four gents that went down after a night at the surf ballroom are memorialized in a fashion that exudes Midwest class and grace. About half a mile down the road sit a pair of large iconic buddy holly glasses that face west. The only reason we know this is because pictures at sunset make for some killer shots with a setting sun skyline behind the glasses. The glasses mark the entrance to the field where the plane was found. A short hike through a field, owned by a Midwesterner gracious enough to let strangers March through, is your path to the site. A memorial plaque and some momentos mark the spot where all are welcome to pay their respects. It's a bit of a hike, around 1/4 of a mile, but worth it for sure. Muddy areas abound so bring shoes All said, this is a well done, low key and classy memorial site to arguably one of the most influential artists of the last century. If you're in town, the drive is short and picturesque, and the visit is well worth your time. read more

Where The Music Died - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Clear Lake, Iowa

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I saw we're we're closed by so we figure we stop by in a super rainy day I like the glasses cool touch. read more

Where The Music Died - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Clear Lake, Iowa

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We came upon the crash site at mile 4,213 of our long-distance motorcycle trip after taking a detour of a few hundred miles in order to visit this iconic spot. Sooooo glad we did. Even tough it was roughly the same temperature of the sun, we were dripping with sweat and had to hike a mile between two corn fields to reach it...all worth while in my estimation. My husband and I love music, and tend to enjoy seeing macabre scenes and also have a dark side to us both, so this was right up our alley. It was more than I hoped for, actually. The entrance is marked by a huge pair of Buddy Holly glasses, so you know you're in the right spot. You then hike about mile down the field until you come upon the site. It's filled with offerings from fans and music lovers. it's rather surreal to know you're standing right in the exact spot where these fine young men met their maker. LOVED IT!!! read more

Where The Music Died - The memorial and offerings. My contribution is a beige utilitarian sports bra...LOL - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Clear Lake, Iowa

What a beautiful tribute site. The walk to the actual crash site is reflective. Kudos to the farmer who shortens their field and to the designer of this simple, yet powerful memorial. read more

Coming from Massachusetts, we can say that the majority of the people we know will never see this fantastic memorial. The sculpture that sits right on the road is difficult to miss since the roads leading up to this area are filled with soy beans! The giant glasses are a welcome change of scenery! While the glasses sculpture is a beautiful ode to Buddy Holly, if you walk about a Quarter Mile behind, that is where the actual memorial lives. Its quite, solemn and most likely you will be the only one visiting at the time. Overall a great tribute to a legend and would highly recommend for fans and non-fans alike. *MUD WARNING: If you go when its rainy, prepare for lots of MUD! read more

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Sad to think what a piece of history happened here. Definitely worth the walk thru the peaceful Iowa fields.

In this field outside of Clear Lake Iowa where the music died. We all know about the ill-fated plane trip by Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens who on a cold night died when the plane crashed just after take-off. The crash site is easy to find and a short 1/2 mile walk from the gravel farm road. There is a nice memorial at the spot of the crash. Please stay on the trail and pick up any trash you see on the way, we are guests on a farmers private property. Directions to the site: From U.S. Highway 18, go north on North 8th Street in Clear Lake for 4.7 miles. When the paved road (which has turned into Grouse Avenue) turns to your left (west), take the gravel road (310th Street) to your right (east), then immediately left (north) on Gull Avenue. Follow Gull Avenue to the north for one-half mile, just past the grain bins to the first fence row on your left (west). Walk along the fence row towards the west for just under one-half mile. A small memorial is located at the place the plane came to rest. Four trees were also planted along the fence row in 1999, one for each performer and the pilot Well worth the trip for every Rock N' Roll fan. read more

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I was driving across America and went WAY out of my way north to stop by to visit this. Admittedly, the whole way I thought I was crazy but really wanted to see it. I can't explain why, but it was worth it ten times over. What really struck me is just how in the middle of nowhere this is - as many others have stated, it's a gravel road and then, all of a sudden, you see Buddy's glasses and you're immediately bathed in some sort of spiritual rain. I was lucky enough to stop by today when no one was there (yet) and I was incredibly moved. Not so much emotionally, but just amazed that I was at the spot Where The Music Died almost sixty years ago. Or maybe I was simply moved at the overwhelming generosity of the property owner to make the site available without even asking for so much as a donation. That shows incredible class and respect for what had transpired there and the family should be given praise. I think if the glasses marked the exact spot it wouldn't be so powerful, because the walk from the street to the middle of the cornfield was incredibly somber and peaceful without a single noise within earshot. I imagined the horror at being a first responder on a freezing morning in 1959 walking which must have seemed like forever and them coming up on the three bodies (plus pilot) scattered all around. As I was leaving, about four cars pulled up and I felt especially lucky that I had at least a few moments alone with the ghosts of rock and roll past. read more

Classy, understated memorial. Perfect. It's -700-800 steps from the road. Big thanks to the private landowners for opening this up to the public. It's a piece of rock & roll history that shouldn't be missed if you have any interest in it. Suggest you also make a stop at the Surf Ballroom to complete the experience. read more

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A huge thank you to the owners of this piece of land for letting folks come here and for keeping the markers. We are on a road trip from San Diego and made this stop and then to the Surf Ballroom... There are no words... read more

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Worth the several miles drive off the interstate if you are near the Clear Lake/Mason City area. Not too far off the paved road. The large Buddy Holly glasses make it much easier to find. An appropriate tribute! Very classy, simple memorial pays tribute to four lives lost way too soon. You will definitely leave with the nostalgic feeling you went there for. read more