More than 90 ladies have carried the title of Miss Frontier, and now a new life-sized bronze statue stands to well represent them all.
A new life-sized bronze honoring nearly a century of Miss Frontiers now stands proudly outside the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, becoming the newest landmark at Frontier Park. The piece is titled The Bronze Queen, celebrating more than 90 women who have worn the Miss Frontier crown since the tradition began in 1931.
The sculpture is the first full-size bronze created through the Capitol Avenue Bronze Project, a collaboration between the Old West Museum and the project’s team. Until now, the project has mostly featured smaller bronzes placed throughout downtown Cheyenne. This new statue marks a milestone, one intended to show off the legacy of Miss Frontier, one of the most recognized symbols of the Cheyenne Frontier Days.
The introduction ceremony brought together former and current Miss Frontiers, state and local leaders, museum supporters, and statue artist Joey Bainer. The event also paid tribute to the oldest living Miss Frontier, Jeanette Tyrrell Daly who was crowned in 1958. Her presence highlighted the multigenerational importance of the role and the legacy that it represents.
Museum visitors were shown a video recognizing every Miss Frontier across the decades, accompanied by a custom tribute song and footage of the museum banners that directly inspired the statue.
A Statue Decades in the Making
The idea to permanently honor Miss Frontier in bronze has been discussed for many years. Harvey Deselms of the Capitol Avenue Bronze Project said the timing finally aligned, allowing the team to complete the project well ahead of the 130th anniversary of Cheyenne Frontier Days. With next year’s celebration focusing on the Year of the Native American, placing the statue now ensures it stands on its own as a meaningful tribute.
Creating The Bronze Queen took artist Joey Bainer roughly two years from concept to installation. He crafted three different iterations before finalizing the life-size clay model that would later be cast in bronze. Rather than depicting a single woman, the statue’s face is said to be “blended likeness”, designed to honor every Miss Frontier since the beginning.
A significant challenge was capturing the traditional parade pose while giving the figure a sense of movement. Flowing fringe and wind-swept hair were intentionally sculpted to symbolize progress all while reflecting the evolution of the CFD rodeo and the women who have helped represent it for so many years.
Built with Precision and Respect
To ensure accuracy, a specific horse was selected and used throughout a detailed measurement and photo-mapping process. Every component, from posture to the smallest facial features, to the tack, it was all perfectly refined to reflect the look and feel of a real Miss Frontier leading a parade or representing Cheyenne Frontier Days on the national stage they have been given.
Each Miss Frontier’s name and year of service, more than 90 total, was engraved on plaques surrounding the base of the statue, including Katherine Olson who is the current Miss Frontier.
"As the 95th Miss Frontier, I’m beyond grateful to stand among them. I feel very lucky and honored to be a part of it. For everyone to be recognized like this is just amazing — it’s more than our names in a book; it’s forever represented through this." Katherine said.
"She’s the warm hello to Cheyenne… and the gentle goodbye that reminds us this legacy will always live on."
The statue is an artistic achievement and a historical record, honoring generations of women who have represented CFD with unwavering pride.
Now standing proud at the entrance of the Old West Museum, The Bronze Queen welcomes rodeo fans, visitors, and local families year round. It celebrates tradition, honors the women who helped shape the history of “The Daddy of ’Em All,and ensures their legacy will remain permanently embedded in the heart of Cheyenne, Wyoming.