In 1903 Legendary American showman Buffalo Bill visited Great Britain with a spectacular live Wild West show featuring some 800 performers and 500 horses. A new exhibition at
Lowestoft railway station is set to tell more about the event.
Several towns in the region hosted the Wild West Show including Norwich, Lowestoft, Kings Lynn, Wisbech and Great Yarmouth which toured the country using railway carriages obtained from Barnum and Bailey’s Circus.
From September 2, a special exhibition featuring information about the visit will take place in the Parcels Office at Lowestoft railway station which on Tuesday 8 September 1903 saw four special trains arrive conveying the shows horses, equipment and performers.
William Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, was famous for his Wild West Show which was performed not only throughout the United States but also across Europe including Great Britain. The spectacular event included battles between Cowboys and Native Americans, displays of horsemanship and shooting (using live bullets) with performers from around the world displaying their riding skills including lassoing and racing.
Researched and compiled by former assistant town centre manager, Margo Upstone, the exhibition tells the story of Buffalo Bill’s visit and features some fascinating information. Margo said; “The exhibition seeks to tell the story of this remarkable and yet barely recorded event that took place in Lowestoft 123 years ago. “With a company of 800 and 500 horses all arriving by four special trains, it must have been a spectacular sight, and the exhibition will reveal more about Buffalo Bill and his visit to the town.”
In advance of the 1903 visit an advertisement was printed in the Lowestoft Journal with a review of the show later featuring in the Yarmouth Mercury. After arriving at Lowestoft station, the cast rode in a special procession, through South Lowestoft and Kirkley, to what is now Walmer Road Recreation Ground in Pakefield where the show was staged.
Presented as part of town’s the On The Edge Festival, use of the Parcels Office has been gifted by the Lowestoft Central Project and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership. Jacqui Dale from the Lowestoft Central Project said; “1903 was an important year for the railway with the expansion of Lowestoft station and the opening of the direct line to Great Yarmouth. “With the station receiving hundreds of performers and horses connected with this spectacular show, it seemed fitting that we play host to this fascinating exhibition.”
When the Wild West Came to the East runs at the Parcels Office at Lowestoft Railway Station from Wed 2 to Wed 9 Sept (excluding Sun 6) from 11am to 3pm daily, admission is free.
To coincide with the exhibition, on September 17 there will be an evening of music about Buffalo Bill and his visit to Lowestoft at the Seagull Theatre in Pakefield. Written by singer/songwriter John Ward with storyteller Andy Jennings, the show will be performed by the John Ward trio and feature words, music and slides.
