The Scout
Buffalo Bill Cody Monument
A monumental bronze equestrian statue of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, depicting him as an army scout on horseback, located at the end of Sheridan Avenue in Cody, Wyoming.
Overview
Artist
Sculpted by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, a prominent New York artist and heiress who brought Western authenticity to her East Coast studio.
Dedication
Originally dedicated on July 4, 1924, the statue celebrated its centennial with a rededication on July 4, 2024, marking 100 years of honoring Buffalo Bill's legacy.
Design
Depicts Cody as an army scout on horseback, peering down a trail and signaling troops to follow, capturing a pivotal moment in frontier history.
Significance
It serves as the symbolic origin of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Key Details
Location
Situated at 721 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414, north of the Whitney Western Art Museum.
Authenticity
To ensure Western realism, Whitney had a horse named "Smokey" from Cody's TE Ranch and a local cowboy shipped to her New York studio to serve as models.
The Base
The statue stands on a large stone base designed to resemble nearby Cedar Mountain, where Cody had requested to be buried.
Historical Context
Following Cody's death in 1917, his niece, Mary Jester Allen, led the effort to commission the statue and later established the first Buffalo Bill Museum nearby.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
"The Scout" serves as the symbolic origin of the renowned Buffalo Bill Center of the West, one of the premier museums of the American West. This connection between the statue and the museum complex creates a powerful tribute to Western heritage and the legacy of William F. Cody.
The statue stands as a gateway to understanding the complex history of the American frontier, inviting visitors to explore the stories, artifacts, and art that shaped the West.
Visit The Scout
Experience this iconic monument at the end of Sheridan Avenue in Cody, Wyoming, and explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
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