If you’ve been to North Platte, Neb., you know the history of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody in that town. But in addition to Cody’s Scout’s Rest Ranch that is now a state historical park, you will want to visit Cody Park and see the Wild West Memorial at the park’s entrance — which honors not only Cody, but also his legacy as a showman.

The memorial that runs off North Jeffers Street includes a life-sized statue of Buffalo Bill, standing guard at the entrance of the park and encased in a gazebo. The statue was sculpted by British artist, W. Bryan Mickleburgh, and was donated to the city by the people of Great Britain, where Buffalo Bill is still revered.

STANDING GUARD: The statue of Buffalo Bill, donated to the city by the people of Great Britain, stands guard at the entrance of the park and the memorial, encased in a gazebo.

The reason for the siting of this memorial at Cody Park goes back to the first 1882 Old Glory Blowout held on this site, as a precursor of the famous Wild West Show that initially toured the U.S. and eventually captivated the world with the pageantry of the West.

Some historians credit Cody’s Old Glory Blowout at North Platte with the founding of the sport we now know as rodeo, because it included contests of horsemanship and cowboy skill. But the Wild West Show was much more, sharing the rich heritage and traditions of Native Americans on the land, along with sharpshooter skills and Western culture in a way that only Buffalo Bill could create.

THE LEGEND: The legend, life and legacy of Buffalo Bill are honored at the memorial, which includes the state flags from all U.S. states and flags from foreign countries where the Wild West Show performed.

Along with honoring Cody, the memorial pays tribute to various entertainers who made the Wild West Show such a phenomenon. An avenue of flags includes the flags of every U.S. state and every foreign country where the Wild West Show performed.

Learn more at visitnorthplatte.com.