The Irma Hotel: Cody's most famous hotel
- Austin Coop
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
For anyone visiting Cody, Wyoming, a stop at the Irma Hotel is a must-do for its rich history and charming decor.
Built in 1902 by legendary frontiersman Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, this Victorian-era hotel has welcomed travelers, dignitaries, cowboys, and adventurers for more than a century — all while retaining its old-world charm and character.
A Hotel with Legendary Roots
When Buffalo Bill Cody helped found Cody, Wyoming in 1895, he envisioned a destination that would attract tourists, hunters, and sightseers bound for nearby Yellowstone National Park. To realize part of that vision, he built the Irma Hotel, naming it for his youngest daughter, Irma Cody, whom he cherished. The hotel opened its doors on November 1, 1902, and its grand celebration on November 18 drew press and guests from across the United States.
Designed by architect Alfred Wilderman Woods, the Irma was constructed using local sandstone and river rock — materials that helped the structure blend seamlessly with the rugged Wyoming landscape. Cody financed the project with earnings from his wildly successful Wild West show, reportedly spending around $80,000 — a significant sum at the time.
Architectural and Cultural Treasures
One of the Irma’s most famous interior features is its cherrywood back bar, a lavish gift from Queen Victoria to Cody in recognition of his popular performances in England. This ornate bar remains a centerpiece of the dining room, drawing visitors eager to sip a drink where the West’s past feels palpably alive.
Over the years, the hotel expanded to accommodate growing tourism. In the 1930s, new wings were added to welcome automobile-borne visitors who were increasingly making the journey westward.
In recognition of its place in American history and culture, the Irma was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
A Social Hub of the West
From its earliest days, the Irma became Cody’s social center. Cody himself frequently stayed in the hotel when not touring, bringing with him the fame and magnetism that kept guests and locals alike enthralled. European nobility, political leaders, Indian chiefs, and western pioneers all passed through its doors, making the Irma a crossroads of cultures and stories in the early twentieth century.
Today, guests can stay in restored suites named after historic figures of the West, including Buffalo Bill’s own private suite, and experience hospitality that blends history with modern comfort.
Stories Beyond History
Alongside its documented past, the Irma Hotel has inspired local legends and ghost stories that enrich its mystique. Visitors and staff have reported unexplained footsteps, mysterious lights, and even ghostly figures — including alleged appearances of Irma Cody herself and a disembodied cavalry soldier — especially in historic rooms like Room 16 and Room 35. Whether one believes in the paranormal or not, such tales have become part of the hotel’s folklore and appeal.
A Living Legacy
More than a century after its opening, the Irma Hotel continues to serve as both a functioning hotel and a cultural landmark. Its walls contain stories of the Wild West and everyday hospitality alike, and its porch remains a place where travelers pause to watch Cody’s Wild Bunch Gunfighters perform in the summer evenings or simply enjoy views of Sheridan Avenue.
