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

North Platte's Cody Park

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2024

1. North Platte's Cody Park Marker

Inscription.

North Platte's Cody Park. . , Let it be known by all that , North Platte's Cody Park , Was the site of the , "Old Glory Blowout" , July 4, 1882., North Platte citizens, led by a committee of W.F. Cody, I. Dillon, Anth. Ries, L. Eells, M.C. Keith, Jos. Mackle, Wm. Grady, E R. Griffis. H.N. Nichols, B.I. Hinman, T.J. Foley, C.L. Wood, J.H. McConnell, A.J. Miller, C.F. Groner, Chas. McDonald, and P.C. Johnson organized the 1882 4th of July observance now known as the "Old Glory Blowout". The highlight of the celebration took place at the Isaac Dillon race track, located at the site of today's Cody Park., Activities included bronc riding. steer roping, and horse racing. Cowboys competed for prizes before a large and appreciative audience. This first "spectator rodeo", earned Cody the title, "father of rodeo". Many of the events in the Old Glory Blowout are still an important part of modern rodeo., The success of the Old Glory Blowout" inspired Cody to organize a traveling Western exhibition. New acts, including colorful Indians and a band added to the excitement for spectators. On May 10, 1883 a first full dress rehearsal was held at Columbus, Nebraska. On May 19, 1883 the first public appearance of Buffalo Bill's Wild West exhibition took place at Omaha, Nebraska. In the next three decades the exhibition would appear before millions of spectators in all 48 states, Canada, and parts of Europe., Additional marker , This plaque is to commemorate the Old Glory Blowout July 4, 1882 and the Wild West exhibition. The circular design of the base signifies Cody's travels around the world. The fourteen posts represent the fourteen Nebraska cities, in addition to North Platte, where William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody appeared with his exhibition. The chain represents the bond between the cities and their membership in the "Alliance of Wild West" sites. The Wild West Memorial steering committee gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the 1996 Mayor and City Council , Mayor G. Keith Richardson , Ward #1 Don Craig Jerry Stoll , Ward #2 M.L. Martin John Patterson , Ward #3 Dan McGuire Barry Keslar , Ward #4 Doug Watson Alan Blackwell , Dedicated this 22nd day of June, 1996

Let it be known by all that
North Platte's Cody Park
Was the site of the
"Old Glory Blowout"
July 4, 1882.

North Platte citizens, led by a committee of W.F. Cody, I. Dillon, Anth. Ries, L. Eells, M.C. Keith, Jos. Mackle, Wm. Grady, E R. Griffis. H.N. Nichols, B.I. Hinman, T.J. Foley, C.L. Wood, J.H. McConnell, A.J. Miller, C.F. Groner, Chas. McDonald, and P.C. Johnson organized the 1882 4th of July observance now known as the "Old Glory Blowout". The highlight of the celebration took place at the Isaac Dillon race track, located at the site of today's Cody Park.

Activities included bronc riding. steer roping, and horse racing. Cowboys competed for prizes before a large and appreciative audience. This first "spectator rodeo", earned Cody the title, "father of rodeo". Many of the events in the Old Glory Blowout are still an important part of modern rodeo.

The success of the *Old Glory Blowout" inspired Cody to organize a traveling Western exhibition. New acts, including colorful Indians and a band added to the excitement for spectators. On May 10, 1883 a first full dress rehearsal was held at Columbus,

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Nebraska. On May 19, 1883 the first public appearance of Buffalo Bill's Wild West exhibition took place at Omaha, Nebraska. In the next three decades the exhibition would appear before millions of spectators in all 48 states, Canada, and parts of Europe.

Additional marker
This plaque is to commemorate the Old Glory Blowout July 4, 1882 and the Wild West exhibition. The circular design of the base signifies Cody's travels around the world. The fourteen posts represent the fourteen Nebraska cities, in addition to North Platte, where William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody appeared with his exhibition. The chain represents the bond between the cities and their membership in the "Alliance of Wild West" sites. The Wild West Memorial steering committee gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the 1996 Mayor and City Council

Mayor G. Keith Richardson
Ward #1 Don Craig Jerry Stoll
Ward #2 M.L. Martin John Patterson
Ward #3 Dan McGuire Barry Keslar
Ward #4 Doug Watson Alan Blackwell

Dedicated this 22nd day of June, 1996

Erected 1992 by Backtrailing Buffalo Bill Cody, Jack C. Fletcher Family.

Topics. This historical marker

North Platte's Cody Park Additional Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2024

2. North Platte's Cody Park Additional Marker

is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1883.

Location. 41° 8.987′ N, 100° 45.586′ W. Marker is in North Platte, Nebraska, in Lincoln County. It can be reached from the intersection of North Jeffers Street (U.S. 83) and East 16th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1520 N Jeffers St, 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: King of the Cowboys (a few steps from this marker); Buffalo Bill's Wild West "Old Glory Blow Out" (a few steps from this marker); "Wild West Cowboy" (within shouting distance of this marker);

Wide view of North Platte's Cody Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2024

3. Wide view of North Platte's Cody Park Marker

Federal Building (approx. 0.9 miles away); Mutual Building & Loan (approx. 0.9 miles away); 355th Infantry / 89th Division Monument (approx. 0.9 miles away); 100th Meridian (approx. one mile away); Lincoln County Courthouse (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Platte.

More about this marker. The markers are in the median of the North Jeffers entrance to Cody Park.

"First Spectator Rodeo" Marker on the brick wall's reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2024

4. "First Spectator Rodeo" Marker on the brick wall's reverse

North Platte Nebraska
"First Spectator Rodeo"
Old Glory Blowout
July 4, 1882
Wild West Exhibition Site
October 12, 1896
September 3, 1898
August 19, 1911
June 27-28, 1915

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 25, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.