Explore the storied wild west history of the town founded by the legendary Buffalo Bill
About This Tour
Cody, Wyoming was founded in 1896 by the living legend, Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who at the age of 41 was one of the most famous men in the world.
Walk through downtown Cody and travel back to the frontier days, exploring sites such as:
- Carnegie library founded by literary frontierswomen with help from Andrew Carnegie - Irma Hotel, Buffalo Bill’s “Hotel in the Rockies,” named after his daughter - Chamberlin Inn, where celebrity guests like Ernest Hemingway stayed
This tour was created in partnership with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the Park County Travel Council. It was made possible by the generosity of the Nielson Family. Narrated by retired local radio broadcaster Mack Frost.
Sample Stories
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Kath Hall
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In 1913, instead of stepping inside Peter's Cafe & Bakery to purchase a sandwich or cookie, you'd be walking into Kath Hall to buy a beautiful lady's hat or going to a dance on the second story.
Kath Hall, originally known as Barnett Hall was built in 1904 by Fred Barnett. The first floor of the building housed a dry goods store with a millinery department run by Madame Agnes H. Volkmer. The upper floor of the building was Cody's community center. It was used for dances, parties, and plays.
It became known as Kath Hall when Henry Kath rented it out for wrestling and boxing matches. Those early matches always included pre-bout exhibitions by local youngsters.
The entrance to the upper Kath Hall was accessed by an outside stairway on the west side of the building. It was always quite a feat for the ladies of Cody to reach the top of the stairs with one hand holding their hat and the other keeping their skirt from flying in the powerful Cody wind! The ornate detailing on the second floor remains to remind us of those lively times in this building!
Cody Stampede Rodeo Office
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If you have ever been to the Cody Stampede or the Cody Nite Rodeo, you know the feeling of excitement and adrenaline as you watch cowboys riding 2,000 pound bulls, gripping desperately with one hand to stay on for 8 long seconds! Or cheering wildly for the cowgirls as they race around barrels for the fastest time.
For 97 years the Cody Stampede has been held every summer. It was established in an effort to commemorate Buffalo Bill Cody and the "Old West" he personified.
The Cody Nite Rodeo began in 1938 and quickly became an important part of the Cody community. It provided income for the Stampede and brought cowboys from all over the country to compete and show wild, western action to travelers all summer long. These two events have established Cody as the "Rodeo Capital of the World".
