Northeast Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Buffalo Bill

1846-1917

Photographed by James Hulse, September 16, 2025

1. Buffalo Bill Marker

Inscription. This statue of Buffalo Bill represents the West in all its heroic glory and legend. No other figure in the history of the west was as loved and admired throughout the world as William F. Cody. He was the West's greatest showman and ambassador. He was the first honoree elected by trustees to the Hall of Fame of Great Westerners.

Astride his powerful horse Brigham from this site atop Persimmon Hill he beckons all to the opening of the West. On to the Rocky Mountains! On to the promise of gold, to open land, freedom, and opportunity! Buffalo Bill points the way over yonder to all.

Beautiful Persimmon Hill is a Gateway to the West. Historically, Indians camped here, hunted, and lived in peace. Buffalo herds grazed quietly. The great trail herds of longhorns passed by this site, to be followed by caravans of white-topped covered wagons. From here on west, the grass becomes shorter, the streams cleaner, the air more pure, and the nights cooler.

The famous film star Joel McCrea was the inspiration for this statue because of his role in the motion picture “Buffalo Bill.” The sculpture was created by artist Leonard McMurry. Juan

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Menchaca, chief curator of the Cowboy Hall of Fame designed the fountain base and setting. The statue, thirty-three feet high and weighing nineteen tons, was cast by Bernhard Zuckerman in Pietra Santa, Italy.

Sponsors were Mrs. Dave D. (Aunt Nona) Payne, Pampa, Texas, and Jasper D. Ackerman, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Dedicated the nineteenth of June A.D. 1977

Erected 1977 by National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1977.

Location. 35° 32.081′ N, 97° 28.936′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Northeast Oklahoma City. It is on Northeast 63rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City OK 73111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 24, 2023

2. Buffalo Bill Marker

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hells Angels (within shouting distance of this marker); Baldy (within shouting distance of this marker); Abilene (within shouting distance of this marker); Steamboat (within shouting distance of this marker); Tornado (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil Derrick (within shouting distance of this marker); Chikasha Aittafama (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rikllsu (Corn) (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 16, 2025

3. Buffalo Bill Marker

Buffalo Bill Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 24, 2023

4. Buffalo Bill Statue

The 33-foot tall statue of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, as inspired by Joel McCrea.

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 24, 2023

5. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

The historical marker is located at the Buffalo Bill monument outside this museum, atop Persimmon Hill.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 318 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 3. submitted on September 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.