Buffalo Bill

Buffalo Bill (February 26, 1846 – January 10, 1917) was born William Frederick Cody in the American state of Iowa, near Le Claire . He was one of the most colorful figures of the Old West, and was perhaps a bit misunderstood.

Wild West Show

In Omaha, Nebraska in 1883, Cody founded the "Buffalo Bill Wild West Show," a circus-like attraction that toured annually: Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull both appeared in the show. In 1887 he performed in London in celebration of the Jubilee year of Queen Victoria, and toured Europe in 1889. He set up an exhibition near the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 (properly the World's Columbian Exposition), which greatly contributed to his popularity.

Related Topics:
Omaha, Nebraska - 1883 - Wild West - Circus - Annie Oakley - Sitting Bull - 1887 - London - Jubilee - Queen Victoria - Europe - 1889 - Chicago World's Fair - 1893

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As the Wild West Show toured North America over the next twenty years it became a moving extravaganza, including as many as 1200 performers. The show began with a parade on horseback, with participants from horse-culture groups that included military, Native American and show performers from North and Central America in their best attire. In addition to this there were Turks, Gauchos, Arabs, Mongols and Cossacks, each showing their own distinctive horses and colorful costumes. Visitors to this spectacle could see main events, feats of skill, staged races and sideshows. Cody's performance typically ended with a melodramatic reenactment of Custer's Last Stand in which Cody himself portrayed General Custer. Many historians claim that, at the turn of the century in 1900, Buffalo Bill Cody was the most recognizeable celebrity on earth.

Related Topics:
Turks - Gauchos - Arabs - Mongols - Cossacks - Custer's Last Stand

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And yet, despite all of the recognition and appreciation Cody's show brought for the Western and Native American cultures, Buffalo Bill saw the American West change dramatically during his tumultuous life. Buffalo herds, which had once numbered in the millions, were now threatened with extinction. Railroads crossed the plains, barbed wire and other types of fences now divided the land for farmers and ranchers, and the once-threatening Indian tribes were now almost completely confined to reservations. Wyoming's resources of coal, oil and natural gas were beginning to be exploited towards the end of his life. Even the Shoshone River was dammed for hydroelectric power as well as for irrigation. Builders called it the Buffalo Bill Dam.

Related Topics:
American West - Wyoming - Coal - Oil - Natural gas - Hydroelectric power - Irrigation

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