Col. Wm. F. Cody, “Buffalo Bill,” built his North Platte home during the heyday of his famous Wild West Show, which debuted in North Platte as the “Old Glory Blowout” on July 4th, 1882. Cody owned some 4,000 acres here, and in 1886, built the large Second Empire mansion at a cost of $3,900. Sixteen acres of his ranch, appropriately named “Scout’s Rest”, became a state historical park in 1965. Since that time, the house and barn have been restored and a wealth of Cody memorabilia has been acquired.