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
For more content, click the "Explore this Tour Remotely" button below.
Cody Stampede Rodeo Office
Click here to see a transcript of this story.
Click here to hide the transcript of this story.
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".
Park County Courthouse
Click here to see a transcript of this story.
Click here to hide the transcript of this story.
By 1909 there were finally enough settlers in this area (around 3,000) and a high enough total property valuation required by the state of Wyoming to form a county. Park County was officially organized with Cody as the county seat.
The first courthouse in Cody, known as the Spencer Building, is the building on Rumsey Avenue just north of the Chamberlin Hotel. The small courthouse was soon outgrown and in 1912 the courthouse you see here today was constructed on the land in the middle of town known as Arta Park, named after Buffalo Bill's oldest daughter.
Cody's original jailhouse and sheriff's quarters were located directly behind the courthouse until the 1960's when a new jail was built where the current fire station is on the east side of the block. The old jail was torn down and the south parking lot was built.
The Seth Thomas clock you see at the top of the building was donated by Cody resident William Robertson Coe who paid $1,017 for the purchase of the clock and its installation. Today, that would equate to over $24,000 dollars! There are only two companies that made this type of clock which are in city halls, courthouses, and churches all over the country. And there is currently only one repairman recommended by the company to do repairs. The clock originally ran from a weight-driven mechanism, but was wired for electricity sometime in the 1940's or 50's. The violet cast of the glass on the clock comes from aging of the French stained glass.
In 1983 additions were made to the building, but the original structure was carefully preserved. Step inside the courthouse and see the beautiful historic photos of the area by well-known resident and photographer Jack Richard.
