Scotland’s most populated city lies in the northwestern part of the United Kingdom. So what is a statue of the American frontier’s greatest showmen doing in Glasgow? 

William Fredrick Cody, aka “Buffalo Bill” was born in Le Claire, at the time known as the Iowa Territory in 1846. After fighting in the American Civil War, Bill took a job with the Pony Express. However, it didn’t take long before Bill was known as the world’s foremost horsemanship entertainer. Bill’s “Wild West” shows gained him so much popularity that he eventually took the act to Europe.  

Towards the end of the 19th century, Bill and the company were set up near the east end of Glasgow performing in front of several thousand. From November 1891-February 1892, the likes of sharpshooter Annie Oakley and several members of the Lakota Sioux Indian tribes delighted crowds with their skills and horse riding capabilities. Although, it’s believed that the Native American performers were actually prisoners of war who had surrendered to the federal government the year prior.  

In 2006, the architectural firm Regency Homes decided to erect a statue in honor of the showmen, right where his performances once took place. The statue was unveiled on the 115th anniversary of Wild Bill’s Scottish debut.