Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Buffalo Park

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 7, 2010

1. Buffalo Park Marker

Inscription. The City of Flagstaff purchased this land in 1959 from the United States Forest Service.

In 1964, James Potter, Sr., long-time resident, entrepreneur and Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce President, led the effort to form a non-profit organization, lease the site from the city, and operate Buffalo Park as a tourist attraction and wildlife refuge for elk, deer, antelope, and of course, bison. A blend of Old West and Navajo culture was represented with stagecoach rides, cowboy storytellers and native artists.

In 1973, the Flagstaff City Council officially dedicated the site for municipal park and recreation purposes, and has provided this public regional park for the enjoyment of citizens and visitors.

James Potter, Sr. (1923-1999) was the park's original designer. His dream became a reality with the help of the founding park committee and generous donations of time and money from the community.

We acknowledge the vision, energy, and determination of those who made Buffalo Park possible.

Founding Park Committee: James M Potter, Sr. • John G. Babbitt • Ernest Chilson • Robert W. Prochnow • Platt Cline • Rollin Wheeler

Special Thanks To: Charles Bonnie, Jr., Sculptor • Bar R. Bar Ranch • Yellowstone National Park • William Campbell, Warner

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Bros. Studio • O.T. Gillette, Old West Storyteller • Dorothy Secody & Sally Tee, Navajo Weavers

Erected by City of Flagstaff.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.

Location. 35° 13.066′ N, 111° 37.956′ W. Marker is in Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coconino County. It can be reached from North Gemini Drive. Marker is in parking lot at north end of Gemini Drive in Buffalo Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Flagstaff AZ 86001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Flagstaff & High Country

and in Hopi.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Beale Wagon Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Arizonal Trail - A Tribute to Dale Shewalter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Logging Wheels (approx. 1.3 miles away); Emerson School Bell (approx. 1.3 miles away); Julius Aubineau (approx. 1.3 miles away); "Bear" Howard's Chuck Box (approx. 1.3 miles away); Beale Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); Flagstaff Flag - Raising (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flagstaff.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2024

2. Buffalo Park Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 7, 2010

3. Buffalo Park Marker

Buffalo Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 26, 2024

4. Buffalo Sculpture

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,002 times since then and 151 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2. submitted on December 17, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on July 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on December 17, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.