Meet Our Legendary Founder
Wherever you go in Cody Yellowstone, Buffalo Bill’s name and legacy surround you. The Buffalo Bill Museum at the award-winning Buffalo Bill Center of the West pays tribute to the showman with his very own personal collection. Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel, named after his daughter, still welcomes guests looking for an authentic experience in the heart of downtown Cody. The Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center is a must-see for breathtaking views and incredible engineering. And that’s just to name a few of our favorites!
Buffalo Bill’s History
Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was born on February 26, 1846. He began his Wild West career at the tender age of 11, as an ox-team driver. Later, at 14 years old, he became one of the youngest Pony Express riders. It wasn’t until 1867 that William F. Cody claimed the name “Buffalo Bill” due to his hunting prowess. While under the employment of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, Buffalo Bill participated in a buffalo hunting contest, shooting 69 buffalo!
A Wild West Showman for the Ages
Buffalo Bill’s show business career was set in motion following a plea from the townsfolk of North Platte to organize a Western event to celebrate the Fourth of July. The Old Glory Blowout, staged in 1882, has been dubbed the beginning of the rodeo in the U.S. The following year, Cody unveiled his greatest western spectacle: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.
The Wild West Show
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show recruited real cowboys and cowgirls from various ranches in the West. The show featured headlining performers such as Annie Oakley and “Wild Bill” Hickok, who demonstrated bronco riding, roping and other rodeo-type skills. After a successful tour of the United States and a special invite to England, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show quickly rose to international fame. In 1896, Buffalo Bill returned to Wyoming and founded the town of Cody.
Today, you can relive the history of Cody at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Spectacular The Musical, an award-winning and family-friendly theatrical production held for 8 weeks during the summer at the historic downtown Cody Theatre.
Visit Buffalo Bill’s Original Lodge
Experience the wilds of Cody Yellowstone just as Buffalo Bill did. His original 1904 hunting lodge, Pahaska Tepee, still stands 48 miles west of Cody, near the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park. The beautiful two-story log lodge is on the National Historic Register. Tour the lodge and stay in one of the resort’s modern cabins for the ideal Yellowstone getaway.
Learn More About Buffalo Bill
Looking for more information about our famous founder? Visit our blog to read 10 Things You Might Not Know About Buffalo Bill Cody.