 Drone view ofKeeper of the Plains, looking northwest (2025) | |
 Interactive map ofThe Keeper of the Plains | |
| Location | Wichita, Kansas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°41′29″N97°20′59″W / 37.69139°N 97.34972°W /37.69139; -97.34972 |
| Designer | Blackbear Bosin |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Material | Weathering steel |
| Height | 44 ft. (13.4 m) |
| Completion date | 1974 |
The Keeper of the Plains is a 13.4 metres (44 ft)Cor-Ten steel sculpture byKiowa-Comanche artistBlackbear Bosin. It stands at the confluence of theArkansas andLittle Arkansas rivers inWichita, Kansas, adjacent to theMid-America All-Indian Center. Surrounding the base of the statue are multiple displays which describe the local tribes that used to inhabit the area, as well as several fire pits which are sometimes lit to illuminate the statue at night. The fire pits, which are known as the Rings of Fire, are lit manually for public safety and run in 15-minute increments. They are generally lit once a night around 7 pm during the winter and at sunset during the summer.
The sculpture, commissioned by the city and private organizations to mark theUnited States Bicentennial, was erected in 1974. It has since become one ofWichita's most recognized and beloved symbols. A spring/summer 2006 project elevated the sculpture on a 30-foot rock promontory so it could be seen from farther away.
A profile image of this statue comprises the motif adopted by the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, a U.S. Air Force flying unit which is based at nearbyMcConnell Air Force Base. From 1993 through 2004, an image of the statue, along with the words "Keeper of the Plains," appeared on the tails of BoeingKC-135 air refueling tankers assigned to the 22nd ARW.
The Keeper of the Plains was mentioned by Christian musicianRich Mullins in his 1991 song "Calling Out Your Name".
On March 11, 2021, a photo of the statue was shown as part of a clue on U.S. landmarks onJeopardy!.
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