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.
Get DirectionsHistory & Background
Buffalo Bill Cody (1846–1917) was one of the most famous Americans of the 19th century — a scout, Pony Express rider, army scout, buffalo hunter, and creator of Buffalo Bill's Wild West. Born William Frederick Cody in Iowa, he developed extraordinary skills as a rider, marksman, and tracker on the frontier. His buffalo hunting for the Kansas Pacific Railroad — reportedly over 4,000 bison in 17 months — gave him his nickname and became part of his legend.
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which ran from 1883 to 1913, brought frontier performers including Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull to audiences of millions in America and Europe. The show played before Queen Victoria and brought American frontier mythology to global audiences. Cody himself became a complex figure: simultaneously celebrating and commodifying the frontier he had helped destroy, yet employing Native American performers in ways that were, by the standards of the time, relatively respectful.
Cody, Wyoming — the city Cody founded in 1896 as the gateway to Yellowstone — remains the center of his legacy. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is one of the great Western museums in the United States. "The Scout" statue by sculptor Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney depicts Cody on horseback in his famous frontier-scout pose and stands prominently in Cody as the defining symbol of the town's Western heritage identity.
Nearby Attractions
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
This massive museum complex encompasses five distinct museums: the Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Firearms Museum, and Natural History Museum. Together they constitute one of the most comprehensive repositories of Western American history and art in the world, with the Plains Indian collection being particularly significant.
Yellowstone National Park (East Entrance)
Cody sits 52 miles east of Yellowstone's east entrance, making it the natural gateway to the park from the east. Established in 1872 as the world's first national park, Yellowstone spans 2.2 million acres with geysers, hot springs, and abundant wildlife including bison, wolves, and grizzly bears. The Lamar Valley offers the best wildlife viewing in the lower 48 states.
Cody Nite Rodeo
Held every night from June through August, the Cody Nite Rodeo is the longest-running nightly rodeo in the world. Professional cowboys and cowgirls compete in bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and other classic events. Stampede Park's family-friendly atmosphere makes it an excellent introduction to authentic Western ranch culture.