As the sweetness of summer fades and the cool breath of autumn settles over the Bighorn Basin, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on Cody’s past– especially its darker, spookier side.
Cody was founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who had first toured the area in the 1870s and was captivated by its natural resources. His vision went beyond ranching; he dreamed of a gateway to Yellowstone that would attract travelers, hunters, and artists while also preserving Western culture. He poured this dream into the town, and many of its landmarks remain today.
One of the most notable establishments left behind by Buffalo Bill is the Irma Hotel. Built in 1902 and named after Buffalo Bill’s daughter, the Irma quickly became a prominent monument in the Cody community. This hotel was quite the vision back in the day; in fact, its grand back bar is a gift from Queen Victoria herself. In the present day, the owner has done a fantastic job maintaining this structure and keeping it available for the public to admire and use. Yet, for all its charm, the Irma is equally famous for the friendly spirits said to roam its halls.
In certain areas and rooms, guests have reported faucets turning on and off by themselves, personal belongings being moved from place to place, and the unnerving sound of footsteps in empty corridors. Some even claim to have felt an invisible hand brush against them. Others whisper of sightings of Buffalo Bill and Irma themselves, forever tied to the hotel that bears their names.
So this fall, as you wander Cody’s historic streets or step into the Irma Hotel, remember: in this town, history doesn’t just live in books and museums, it sometimes walks beside you.
To learn more about the stories that stem from the Irma Hotel, read the links included below… or go visit and stay in this hotel yourself! Who knows, maybe you’ll leave with your own story.
‘The Friendly Ghosts of the Irma Hotel’ https://www.codyyellowstone.org/blog/the-friendly-ghosts-of-the-irma-hotel/