February 26 in Local History

2026

• William Frederick Cody—better known as "Buffalo Bill"—was born on a farm in Scott County, Iowa, just across the river. While he was born in Iowa, Buffalo Bill’s legacy is woven into the fabric of the Chicago suburbs. During the late 1800s, his world-famous "Wild West Show" was a staple at the Chicago World's Fair and frequently traveled through the "Collar Counties" via the same rail lines that built towns like Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. Buffalo Bill wasn't just a showman; he was the world's first true "global celebrity" and a pioneer of the American mythos. For a region like DuPage that grew out of the expansion of the Western frontier and the railroads, he represents the transition from the "Old West" to the modern, connected suburbs we live in today.

  From the 2026-02-26 edition