Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
In Commemoration of the Last Public Appearance of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody
At Portsmouth, Virginia on November 11, 1916
Inscription.
William F. Cody, associated with a Western exhibition titled “Buffalo Bill (Himself) and the 101 Ranch Wild West Combined,” passed by this spot on a route that would take the parade to the intersection of Washington and Lincoln Streets, site of the “Grand Finale.”
The success enjoyed by the Fourth of July celebration known as “The Old Glory Blowout” at North Platte, Nebraska, on July 4, 1882, convinced William F. Cody to organize “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” and tour the United States and parts of Europe. Buffalo Bill was and is a symbol of a glamorous and colorful era in United States history.
He literally crated and shipped samples of the “Wild West” to centers of population around the world, giving millions of Americans and Europeans the opportunity to view first hand a part of American history that had captured the popular imagination.
Dedicated to William F. Cody, an illustrious American, remembered as the “Father of Rodeo,” “The First International Star,” and “America’s Goodwill Ambassador-at-Large”
Erected 1987 by Backtrailing Buffalo Bill Cody and the Fletcher Family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 36° 50.068′ N, 76° 17.805′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is on Water Street south of High Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 High St, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads, specifically in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Elizabeth River

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025
2. In Commemoration of the Last Public Appearance of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody Marker
In the years since it was first photographed for this site, its surroundings have changed. It was moved slightly south in 2016 to accommodate a new rear parking lot for the Seaboard Building.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,407 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 27, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
