Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel: A Cody, Wyoming Landmark
Known as the “Grand Old Lady of Cody,” the world-famous Irma Hotel is nestled in the heart of Cody, Wyoming and has been a favorite stop of travelers for over 120 years.
If you’re driving, riding, or strolling down Sheridan Avenue, you can’t miss the Irma Hotel. The establishment bills itself as “fancy enough for royalty and plain enough for cowboys and cowgirls,” making it a place where anyone can show up and be themselves — truly a mainstay of Cody society.
But those simply staying in one of the renovated rooms or enjoying the prime rib buffet are missing out, as there’s a wealth of history that contributes to the character of this unique inn.
Here are four historical facts to help you appreciate Cody’s Irma Hotel more fully as you visit, stay, or dine there.
William F. Cody Built the Irma for $80,000 in 1902
The co-founder of Cody and its namesake, Buffalo Bill himself, built the Irma in 1902, just seven years after he helped found the city.
Calling it “just the sweetest hotel that ever was,” W.F. Cody named the establishment after his youngest daughter, Irma. She was born February 9, 1886.
On November 18, 1902, Cody invited reporters and dignitaries from as far as the East Coast to a party, celebrating the official opening of his new hotel.
Unsurprisingly, the Irma Hotel rapidly grew to become the prime gathering place of the Cody community.
Buffalo Bill Owned the Irma For Just Over a Decade
During his lifetime, William F. Cody was likely the best-known American worldwide. His Wild West Shows were one of the most rousing experiences one could behold, and when he returned from tours, he frequently stayed at the Irma Hotel, drawing an influx of guests while he was in town.
But eventually, under mounting pressure from creditors, Cody had no choice but to sign the Irma Hotel over to his wife, Louisa, in 1913.
At the time, their relationship was strained, to say the least. Although they would remain married until Cody’s passing — their marriage spanning 51 years in total — Cody had filed for divorce from Louisa in 1904.
He claimed that she tried to poison him, but ultimately the claim was never proven and a judge dismisseed the case, with Louisa refusing the grant the divorce.
When Cody died in 1917, the hotel was foreclosed upon and Barney Link owned it briefly before selling it back to Louisa, who retained it until she died about eight years later.
The Irma’s Famous Backbar: A Gift From the Queen
From the distinguished exterior to the historic rooms (and especially the ceiling), there’s a lot to take in when you visit the Irma Hotel. But the single can’t-miss feature that never fails to captivate travelers is the historic backbar located in the restaurant.
Made of cherrywood, the backbar was a gift to Buffalo Bill from none other than England’s Queen Victoria, who had marveled at Cody’s Wild West Show years earlier.
For Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, which marked her 50th year as the kingdom’s monarch, the Wild West Show performed before a sold-out crowd in London. Following opening night, Queen Victoria — who had not been in attendance — wrote to Cody, asking for a private performance of the Wild West Show “by Royal Command,” a distinct honor.
With Annie Oakley, 16-year-old Lillian Smith, and the rest of the troupe, Cody put on a spectacular performance, later writing that the entire group was determined to “excel themselves” that night.
Following the show, Queen Victoria met with performers, telling Buffalo Bill how much she’d enjoyed it as well as some other things which he declined to repeat, explaining only that “Modesty forbids me.”
Queen Victoria’s gift remains a centerpiece of the historic Irma Hotel, helping keep the American West alive and well in Cody, Wyoming.
The Irma Was Designed By a Church Architect
It might sound a bit odd for a western hotel that surely saw its share of rougher clientele in its heyday, but the Irma Hotel was designed by Alfred Wilderman Woods.
Hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, Woods was an architect who specialized in designing churches. The Irma would have certainly stood out in his portfolio, though for some with a love for the history of Cody and the Old West, it’s not too much of a stretch to call this hotel a house of worship, in its own way.
The Bighorn Basin is at home in the Irma, with the region’s rocks, fossils, and minerals composing the hotel’s fireplace.
Beck Lake, on Cody’s southern edge, made its own contribution, with some of the hotel’s exterior walls made of quarried sandstone from the lake, as well as river rock.
Originally built in 1902, the Irma gained its northwest addition in 1929. Nearly 50 years later, in 1977, its southwest addition was completed.
There’s no shortage of history and detail to appreciate when you visit the Irma Hotel in downtown Cody, Wyoming.
If you’re traveling with your family, check out this list of five superb kids’ activities to enjoy in Cody.
