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    Buddy Holly Crash Site Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Buddy Holly Crash Site

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    2 years ago

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    Where The Music Died - 2025

    Where The Music Died

    4.9(17 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    This Iowa landmark is one of 4 (that I remember) that requires a drive in the country, while…read moreenjoying 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.

    Took a detour of the road during my travels today and visited the Buddy Holly Crash Site. Popular…read morespot 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.

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    Where The Music Died
    Where The Music Died
    Where The Music Died - Memorial at crash site

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    Memorial at crash site

    Wright On the Park - Exterior of the Historic Park Inn Hotel owned by WOTP in Mason City Iowa

    Wright On the Park

    4.3(3 reviews)
    10.3 mi

    Wright on the Park is actually a not for profit corporation that was founded to restore the last…read moreextant Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel. The Park Inn Hotel was part of a structure designed as a law office and a bank. The project was started in 1909 and opened in 1910. Wright on the Park offices are kitty-corner from the hotel, across the plaza and next to the bandshell. While it is technically a part of the hotel as the management office, it isn't really a part of the hotel. The corporation was formed in 2005 to save the structure that had fallen on hard times. After a $20 million renovation, the Park Inn is now a 27 room boutique hotel. Wright on the Park also functions as a most interesting gift shop along with the executive offices. In the gift shop, you will find a myriad of Frank Lloyd Wright themed merchandise, clothing, FLW designs on socks, jewelry, glassware and unique Frank Lloyd Wright books and ephemera. Be sure to pick up souvenirs of your visit to the Park Inn Hotel. While you're there, ask about a tour of the hotel. There's a nominal charge for the tour, plan on a couple of hours. You'll get a detailed look at the hotel and the many touches that are uniquely Frank Lloyd Wright.

    This satellite gift shop that serves the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Historic Park Inn and City…read moreNational Bank Historic sites. It now at 17 South Federal Ave. And has an art display that is fantastic. #Franklloydwright

    Photos
    Wright On the Park - The Skylight Room in Frank Lloyd Wright's Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City Iowa

    The Skylight Room in Frank Lloyd Wright's Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City Iowa

    Wright On the Park - Private Bath and art glass window inside the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City Iowa

    Private Bath and art glass window inside the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City Iowa

    Wright On the Park - Exterior of the City National Bank owned by WOTP in Mason City Iowa

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    Exterior of the City National Bank owned by WOTP in Mason City Iowa

    Buddy Holly Crash Site - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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