This Week in the West: Pawnee Bill

🤠This Week in the West 🎙️ Episode 15: Pawnee Bill

📢 Episode Summary: This episode of This Week in The West explores the life of Gordon William Lillie, better known as Pawnee Bill, a showman and entrepreneur who helped shape the mythology of the American West. Born in 1860, Lillie worked with the Pawnee tribe before joining Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show as an interpreter. He later created his own show, blending entertainment with historical reenactments, and became a key figure in the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run. 

His partnership with Buffalo Bill led to a hugely successful touring show, and he later settled in Pawnee, Oklahoma, where he built a ranch, experimented with Western films, and preserved his legacy. Despite personal tragedies, his impact on Western history remains, with his ranch now a museum honoring his contributions.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• A Showman of the West: Pawnee Bill used his experiences with Native Americans and the frontier to create popular Wild West shows that shaped public perceptions of the West.
• Oklahoma Land Run Leadership: He played a significant role in the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run, leading thousands of settlers into what became Kingfisher County.
• Enduring Legacy: Though his Wild West shows faded, Pawnee Bill’s ranch remains a historical site, preserving his contributions to Western culture and entertainment.

👥 Behind the Scenes Host: Seth Spillman Producer: Chase Spivey Writer: Mike Koehler

🔗 Further research:

• The Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum: https://www.okhistory.org/sites/pawneebill
• The Oklahoma Hall of Fame: https://www.oklahomahof.com/hof/inductees/lillie-gordon-w-1934
• Our Dickinson Research Center: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/drc/

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🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111

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