The logo for the estherville area chamber of commerce

ESTHERVILLE METEORITE

ON MAY 10, 1879, A 455 POUND METEORITE FELL TO EARTH IN EMMET COUNTY A FEW MILES NORTH OF ESTHERVILLE, AND HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE ESTHERVILLE METEORITE. 

This is the largest Meteorite that has been known to have fallen in North America. When it struck it buried itself 15 feet in the ground. Portions of the meteorite are on display in the Estherville Public Library, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria. A piece of the meteorite was purchased in 2010 and now resides in the Meteorite Center in Estherville. Click here for a look at the events of that night.

A statue with a starry sky in the background
A statue of a bird with a long beak is surrounded by stars

Meteorite Sculpture​


In 1980 the Estherville Area Arts Council held Estherville Sculpture Competition with the theme of the Estherville Meteorite. The winner of the competition was Tom Gibbs, a Dubuque sculptor.
The sculpture was titled “Estherville Meteorite” and the Estherville Area Arts Council purchased the original model. The sculpture was placed in Library Square.

When Mr. Gibb discussed the piece he said, “Although it is by no means intended as any kind of realistic representation of a meteor, it is meant to capture the spirit of the occurrence. It will
have the visual impact of an exploding mass. The sculpture is appearing to be in the act of breaking into three pieces, as the meteor did, according to eyewitness accounts. Location: Library Square, Estherville

Meteorite Sites To Visit


A piece of the meteorite was purchased in 2010 and now resides in the Meteorite Center in Estherville. Location: 814 Central Avenue, Estherville. Call 712-362-4313 with questions or hours. 

A large rock is displayed in a glass case.

 Meteorite Landing Site


​The meteorite landed a few miles north of Estherville. A monument located along highway 4 north marks the location spot.

A large rock with a plaque on it is in the middle of a field at night.

WANT TO EXPLORE AND LEARN MORE? COME INTO THE CHAMBER OFFICE AND PICK UP A METEORITE BROCHURE WITH EVEN MORE INFO!

Share by: