Stockyards book inspires new exhibit

   (Sept. 14, 2006) – “The Yards: A Way of Life, 1887-2002” is now on display at the Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. The exhibit offers glimpses of glory days at the Sioux City Stockyards, a titan of the nation’s livestock marketing industry for decades.

   The exhibit began taking shape after the May release of “The Yards: A Way of Life, Vol. I.” The 240-page book, published by the Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center Association with funding from Missouri River Historical Development, Inc., (MRHD) has sold almost 1,100 copies.

	Farm families, truckers, former commission men and staff, Stockettes, livestock dealers, and people who worked in dozens of allied industries have encouraged the Center’s efforts to create a permanent record of the Yards’ story. The new exhibit foreshadows Volume II of the Yards book, scheduled for release in summer 2007.   “The Yards story is deeply personal for hundreds of families in Siouxland and beyond,” says Marcia Poole, director of the interpretive center and author of the Yards book. “The Yards supported parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. It was the first hope for thousands of immigrants. It fostered solid values, a strong work ethic and lasting personal and professional relationships. It served up great times and tough times. It was a way of life that’s missed by many people.”   The exhibit illuminates the Yards’ link to Lewis & Clark history and features photographs from various
Images from the Sioux City Stockyards are now on display at the Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in “The Yards: A Way of Life, 1887-2002.” The exhibit, which will run through Oct. 15, complements Volume I of the Center’s book on the Yards and foreshadows Volume II. (G.R. Lindblade photo)	periods. The sculpture “Glory Days,” by George Lindblade, uses tools of the Yards trade, including a rawhide whip from the Westfield Whip Manufacturing Co.; a Sioux City Stockyards cane; a Walsh Commission Co. pencil; horseshoes;
a railroad spike; a Sioux City Stockyards Company employee badge; and a typesetter’s block featuring a Yards logo.

  A commemorative belt buckle trumpets the Yards’ No.1 national ranking in hog marketing. Branding irons and a depiction of a terra cotta steer’s head at the Live Stock National Bank also figure into the exhibit. The drawing was created by Sioux City artist Rex Mueller.

  George Lindblade and Christine McAvoy, of G.R. Lindblade, were photo editors for the Yards book. Lou Ann Lindblade designed “A Way of Life.” Stanley Evans, retired President and Chairman of the Board of the Live Stock National Bank, was advisor to the project. The same team is producing the second Yards book.

  “A Way of Life, Vol. I” is available for $20 at the interpretive center with $5 additional for shipping. Call 712-224-5242 for more information or contact rmovall@siouxcitylcic.com.

  The Center, exit 149 off I-29, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Center was built and is sustained by Missouri River Historical Development, Inc., (MRHD). Admission, all programs, exhibits and activities are free and open to all people. For more information, call 712-224-5242.

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