Visual Traveler: Keeper of the Plains, Wichita, KS

In May 1974 renowned Native American artist, Blackbear Bosin, donated a steel sculpture standing atop a massive rock base, to the city of Wichita, Kansas. Dubbed Keeper of the Plains, this stunning 44-foot-tall statue crafted from Cor-Ten steel stands near the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers.
 
Long considered a focal point amid the city’s restored riverfront, the initial symbolism of this jaw-dropping sculpture was two-fold. It simultaneously commemorated the United States Bicentennial, as it honored The Great Spirit revered by many tribal people. Nearby plantings of sage, medicinal herbs, and prairie grasses, as well as an information wall, further honor the Native American and Plains Indian way of life.

With waterfront renovation came a new pedestal for ‘the Keeper’ that raised it an additional 30 feet. Two, more recently created footbridges also provide easier public access to the site. 
 
Visitors are welcome to visit Keeper of the Plains at no charge, year-round. For a truly magical experience, stop by near sunset (weather permitting). That's when fire drums among surrounding boulders resonate for 15 minutes as a dramatic Ring of Fire springs to life.

This is a must-see installation when visiting Kansas’s largest city!   

Disclaimer: As a travel writer I may receive complimentary stays, admissions, meals, transportation, and, occasionally, products I am asked to review. However, I make every effort to report my experiences fairly and honestly.