North Platte in Lincoln County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Old Glory Blowout

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2013

1. Old Glory Blowout Marker

Inscription. In commemoration of the
”Old Glory Blowout”
July 4, 1882

This event held in Lincoln County
Nebraska, was the manifestation of a dream
that became a reality as the:

”Buffalo Bill’s Wild West”
and was witnessed by millions of people throughout the United States and parts of Europe.

The “Old Glory Blowout” parade on the morning of that historic day was routed past this spot on its way to the exhibition site, now Cody Park.

Dedicated to
William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody
An industrious Nebraska Citizen
Presented by the Fletcher Family

Erected by The Fletcher Family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1882.

Location. 41° 8.16′ N, 100° 45.792′ W. Marker is in North Platte, Nebraska, in Lincoln County. It is on North Jeffers Street (U.S. 83) north of East 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is a large metal plaque, mounted at ground-level, directly on the Lincoln County Courthouse building, on the right side of the west entrance.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 North Jeffers Street, North Platte NE 69101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Nebraska and in the Platte River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lincoln County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); 100th Meridian (a few steps from this marker); Statue of Liberty Replica (within shouting distance of this marker); 355th Infantry / 89th Division Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Sioux Lookout (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mutual Building & Loan (about 500 feet away); Federal Building (about 500 feet away); King of the Cowboys (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Platte.

Also see . . .
1. Nebraska: The Old Glory Blowout.

Old Glory Blowout Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2013

2. Old Glory Blowout Marker (tall view)

“Buffalo Bill” Cody had already established his presence on stage in theatrical performances and on the pages of dime novels when he launched a new, bold program: a spectacle that featured fearless horseback riders, daring stagecoach drivers, and carefully choreographed “fights” between soldiers, settlers, and American Indians. He birthed his Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in 1882 to celebrate North Platte’s “Old Glory Blowout.” The town needed a celebration—an extravaganza—and Bill Cody was the man they knew could pull it off . (Submitted on October 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. William F. Cody. Cody’s theatrical genius revealed itself in 1883, when he organized Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, an outdoor extravaganza that dramatized some of the most picturesque elements of frontier life: a buffalo hunt with real buffalo, an Indian attack on the Deadwood stage with real Indians, a Pony Express ride, and at the climax, a tableau presentation of Custer’s Last Stand in which some Lakota who had actually fought in the battle played a part. Half circus and

Lincoln County Courthouse (<i>west side; marker visible on right side of Jeffers St. entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2013

3. Lincoln County Courthouse (west side; marker visible on right side of Jeffers St. entrance)

half history lesson, mixing sentimentality with sensationalism, the show proved an enormous success, touring the country for three decades and playing to enthusiastic crowds across Europe. (Submitted on October 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,932 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.