Pawnee Bill and May Lillie’s Wild West

In the late 19th century, traveling Wild West shows became a popular form of entertainment. One of the largest and most successful Wild West shows was created by Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie and his wife, May, in 1888. It later merged with Buffalo Bill’s show and continued until 1913. In this podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the climate that led to the creation of Wild West shows, the impact that Gordon Lillie made on the genre, and May Lillie’s role as performer, business partner, wife, and mother. They are joined by Ronny Brown, site director at Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, and Anna Davis, historical interpreter at Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum.