James Earle Fraser, 1876-1953, created the plaster model of this statue, which was exhibited at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. It was moved to this park in 1919, where it stood until 1968. It was then traded to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City for this bronze casting, fulfilling the hope of Mr. Fraser. It was dedicated December 19, 1971.