On this date in 1896, through May 24th, the most famous show of its type, the original and biggest spectacle of its age, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show stopped in St. Louis. It set up at the corner of Compton and Manchester. 

The show was so large it required 15 acres of empty ground to stage. There were 500 people in the cast and on staff, including 25 cowboys, 12 cowgirls, 100 Native Americans, and of course, famous sharpshooter Annie Oakley.

Based on content from the Lafayette Square Archives.

Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis.