Charles "Charlie" Edward Norton

Charles “Charlie” Edward Norton (1942-2024) of Leoti, Kansas was a broadly respected Western artist and historian whose work deeply reflected life on the prairie and the spirit of the American West. He began his career as a farrier—shoeing horses—before gradually shifting to full-time artistry, teaching himself painting and bronze sculpture.  Among his best-known works are “Spirit of the Prairie,” a bronze pioneer woman statue in front of the Thomas County Courthouse in Colby, and his twice life-sized sculpture of Buffalo Bill in Oakley, which was named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. Norton used his mediums—painting, bronze, silversmithing, saddlery among others—to preserve and celebrate frontier culture: buffalo herds, pioneer families, cowboys and the sweeping Western landscape.