Visiting the Winery at Versailles in Ohio, I was surprised to learn that Annie Oakley was from nearby Greenville. The winery was once home to her aunt and Annie would visit over the summer. I decided to take a mini-field trip to check out Greenville and learn more about the little girl they nicknamed “Little Sure Shot”. Not only was there a statue of the famous sharpshooter, but an exhibit venue dedicated to her at The Garst Museum.
Born on August 13, 1860, Annie Moses was the fifth daughter of Jacob and Susan Moses and grew up a poor country girl. When her father and stepfather died, she learned to shoot game to feed the family at a young age. No one knows how she was named Annie Oakley but some say it was the surname of the man that helped her escape her difficult life while others claim she took the name from a suburb of Cincinnati.
By the time Annie was 10 years old, the Darke County Fair had become a major local event and it was probable that she had attended and could have even competed in the shooting competitions.
By the time Annie was 16, she had met and married Frank Butler, who was also a professional marksman. Frank was 10 years older than Annie and was born in Ireland. Annie met him on a visit to see her sister who had moved to nearby Cincinnati. During their meeting, Frank was immediately smitten with her while Annie fell for his poodle named George.
In 1885 Annie joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, a theatrical production which demonstrated various reenactments that included Cowboy and Indian scenarios as well as sharpshooting. Living her life out of a suitcase, Annie’s husband traveled with her and was also a performer in the show.
One attendee mentioned that she was a “small girl among the rough plainsmen.” standing at only five feet tall. In 1890 she arrived in Paris to perform with the Wild West show and later headlined at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. She was presented with many awards and pins that she wore while performing. She was the first woman to become an international superstar.
Annie Oakley would eventually retire from the Wild West show and settle with her husband in Nutley, New Jersey and later in Cambridge, Maryland (known as the Annie Oakley House). The couple did not have children, but were very fond of their adopted dog, Dave.
Annie Oakley “paved the way for women to ‘compete in a man’s world’ without compromising her integrity and femininity.” It was her opinion that “every woman should know how to handle guns as naturally as they know how to handle babies.”
In 1925, Annie’s health declined and was living in Greenville, Ohio with her sister, Emily. At the age of 66, Annie died from complications with pneumonia on November 3, 1926. She is buried in Brock Cemetery near Greenville.
Annie’s story is one of success and tenacity. Growing up with nothing, her hard work paid off resulting in her accomplishments and in becoming a role model for young girls to compete in sports. Achieving awards and fame, she never forgot her humble beginnings.
Have you visited the Annie Oakley exhibit at the Garst Museum? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Greenville’s Garst Museum and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Garst Museum
205 North Broadway
Greenville, OH 45331
Telephone: 937 548 5250
- Admission: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $9 for youth, $9 for Darke County Genealogy Society Members, Free for children aged 5 and below and for DCHS Members
- Hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10AM to 4PM & Sunday from 1PM to 4PM, Closed Mondays, Major Holidays and the Month of January
- Amenities: Historical exhibits, educational exhibits, research center, historic figures, museum store and special events
- Tips: Allow yourself plenty of time to visit each of the exhibits and wear comfortable shoes.
Where to Stay:
The Inn at Versailles
21 West Main Street
Versailles, OH 45380
Telephone: 937 526 3020
Where to Eat:
The Merchant House
406 South Broadway
Greenville, OH 45331
Telephone: 937 459 4405
Pig candy and the Monte Cristo sandwich….absolutely amazing!
Where to Drink:
Kennedy Vineyard
3911 State Route 722
New Madison, OH 45346
Telephone: 937 273 8381
What to Read:
- Annie Oakley, by Charles J. Shields
- Annie Oakley: A Captivating Guide to an American Sharpshooter Who Later Became a Wild West Folk Hero, by Captivating History
- Life and Legacy of Annie Oakley, by Glenda Riley