The Buddy Holly plane crash site is a lonely spot in a giant Iowa field. It is located about 5 miles north of Clear Lake, Iowa, on Gull Avenue, just north of the intersection of Gull and 320th Street. The crash site is marked by a large pair of Buddy Holly's trademark eyeglasses.

On February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson were killed in a plane crash. The four men were on their way to Moorhead, Minnesota, for the next stop on their Winter Dance Party tour. The plane crashed into a cornfield shortly after takeoff from the Mason City Municipal Airport.

The crash site is a popular pilgrimage for fans of Buddy Holly and the other musicians who died in the crash. Each year, on the anniversary of the crash, fans gather at the site to pay their respects.

The weather conditions on the night of the crash were poor, and the pilot lost control of the plane. All four people on board were killed.

The Buddy Holly plane crash site is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life. It is also a testament to the enduring power of music. The music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson continues to inspire and entertain people around the world.

In 1988, music fan Ken Paquette made a stainless steel monument of a guitar and three records with the names of the three rockers. In 2009 he made a memorial for the pilot as well.

The crash site is owned by the farmer whose land it is on. The farmer allows visitors to come to the site, but there is no charge. There is also no visitor center or museum. The only thing at the site is the memorial and a few signs.

Despite the lack of amenities, the Buddy Holly plane crash site is still a popular destination for fans of Buddy Holly and the other musicians who died in the crash. Each year, on the anniversary of the crash, fans gather at the site to pay their respects.