Cody history

Founding of the Legendary City

The city of Cody was founded in 1896 by a group of investors led by the legendary Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. It was in honour of this famous showman and scout that the settlement received its name. Buffalo Bill was captivated by the beauty of the region and its rich natural resources, viewing the area as the ideal location to create a thriving community.

Factors of Formation and Growth

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional hub was driven by several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Cody is situated just 80 kilometres from the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The founders farsightedly bet on the city becoming the "Eastern Gateway" to the nature reserve.
• Irrigation and Water: Understanding the arid climate of the region, Buffalo Bill initiated a massive project to irrigate the land with waters from the Shoshone River, making agricultural development possible.
• Transport: The arrival of the Burlington Railroad in 1901 ensured a constant flow of tourists and goods, firmly securing the city's status on the map.

Early Culture and Economy

From the very beginning, Cody's economy was closely tied to hospitality and tourism. In 1902, the Colonel opened the famous Irma Hotel, named after his daughter, to comfortably accommodate travellers heading to the park. The city quickly became imbued with the spirit of the Wild West, becoming a centre of cowboy culture and rodeo, preserving this unique atmosphere to this day.

Major Milestones in Cody's History

The history of Cody is inextricably linked with the exploration of the Wild West and the development of tourism in the Yellowstone region. Below are the key dates that shaped the city's identity.

• 1896 — Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody and a group of investors officially found the city.
• 1901 — The Burlington Railroad reaches Cody, ensuring a reliable connection with the outside world and an influx of travellers.
• 1901 — Cody receives official status as an incorporated city.
• 1902 — The famous Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill and named in honour of his daughter, opens its doors.
• 1910 — Construction of the Buffalo Bill Dam (formerly Shoshone Dam) is completed, which was the highest in the world at that time.
• 1917 — Following Colonel Cody's passing, the Buffalo Bill Memorial Association is created to preserve his legacy.
• 1919 — The first official Cody Stampede rodeo is held, becoming an annual tradition and a hallmark of the city.
• 1927 — The first Buffalo Bill Museum opens in a log building, marking the beginning of the modern "Center of the West" museum complex.
• 1959 — The opening of the Whitney Gallery of Western Art transforms the city into a significant cultural centre of the region.
• 1967 — Creation of the Old Trail Town open-air museum begins, where authentic historical frontier structures are collected.
• 2002 — The Draper Natural History Museum, dedicated to the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, opens as part of the museum complex.

Cody's Transformation: From Pioneer Dream to Cultural Phenomenon

The development of the city went far beyond the standard scenario of a Wild West settlement. A decisive stage was the implementation of large-scale irrigation projects: the construction of a grandiose dam on the Shoshone River turned the semi-desert landscape into habitable territory. This engineering feat not only provided the region with resources but also changed Cody's status from a risky frontier to a stable economic hub capable of supporting agriculture and a permanent population.

Over time, Cody successfully leveraged its cowboy heritage, securing the unofficial title of "Rodeo Capital of the World". What began as festive competitions evolved into a powerful industry: the launch of daily summer rodeo shows created a unique tourism product. This decision turned the city's event calendar into a continuous festival, making the Western atmosphere accessible to guests on any day of the season.

In recent history, the city has reinvented itself as a major scientific and educational centre. The expansion of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West into a complex of five world-class museums, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, significantly raised Cody's prestige. The opening of modern exhibitions dedicated to natural history and the Yellowstone ecosystem shifted the focus from a purely historical narrative to ecological education, attracting a new audience of intellectual tourists.

Today, Cody continues to develop, balancing the preservation of authenticity with the demands of modernity. The city has grown into a full-fledged service hub for northwestern Wyoming with developed infrastructure, including a regional airport and high-quality medical facilities. This synergy of modern comfort and carefully protected historical districts allows Cody to remain not just a "gateway to the park", but an independent and sought-after destination.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Cody's architecture is the materialized history of the American frontier. The urban layout, established in the late 19th century, is distinguished by the rectangular grid of wide streets characteristic of Western settlements. They were initially designed with such breadth so that a team of several pairs of horses could turn around without difficulty, which gives the city centre a sense of spaciousness today.

Eras and Styles

Cody's development traces an evolution from temporary wooden structures to permanent stone buildings and modern complexes:

• Frontier Era (Late 19th Century): A prevalence of vernacular architecture (folk building). The main materials were untreated wood and logs. The style is characterised by extreme functionality, simplicity of form, and a lack of decoration.
• Early Urban Period (Early 20th Century): The appearance of buildings in the rustic style with elements of Victorian eclecticism. Active use of local hewn sandstone for the construction of public and commercial buildings, intended to emphasise the reliability and longevity of the settlement.
• Modern Stage: Development of museum architecture and the "Westernisation" of facades. New buildings are often stylised as antiques to preserve the integrity of the city's historical image.

Iconic Structures

Several objects play a key role in shaping Cody's architectural landscape:

• The Irma Hotel (1902): The main architectural landmark of the historic centre. The building's exterior is made of rough local sandstone, which is typical for the regional style, while the interior, including the famous cherry wood fittings, references the luxury of the Victorian era.
• Old Trail Town: A unique open-air complex where original structures from 1879–1901 are collected. This is the standard of Wild West architecture: log cabins, historic gathering halls, and trading posts transported here from various corners of the region.
• Buffalo Bill Center of the West: An example of modern public architecture that does not copy antiquity but blends harmoniously into the rugged Wyoming landscape thanks to its scale and use of natural materials.

Famous Residents and Historical Figures

Cody is inextricably linked with the names of people whose lives and careers influenced not only the development of the city but also the culture of the USA as a whole. From legends of the Wild West to world-class politicians and artists, here is a list of key figures.

• William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody — City Founder, Showman, and Scout.
  A key figure in the city's history. He not only chose the site for the settlement and invested funds in its development but also created the world-famous "Wild West" show, romanticising the image of the American frontier. It was his efforts that turned Cody into a tourism brand.
• Jackson Pollock — Artist, Leader of Abstract Expressionism.
  One of the most influential artists of the 20th century was born in Cody in 1912. Although the family moved shortly after his birth, the city is proud of its status as the birthplace of a genius who changed modern world art.
• Caroline Lockhart — Journalist, Author, and Public Figure.
  Arriving in Cody in the early 20th century, she became the owner of the Cody Enterprise newspaper (founded by Buffalo Bill). Lockhart played a decisive role in founding the famous Cody Stampede rodeo, striving to preserve the region's cowboy traditions.
• Alan K. Simpson — Politician and US Senator.
  A native of Cody who represented Wyoming in the US Senate for 18 years. He is one of the state's most respected political figures, known for his wit and contribution to the country's legislation.
• Jeremiah "Liver-Eating" Johnson — Mountain Man, Trapper, and Folklore Legend.
  The prototype for the hero of the famous film starring Robert Redford. In 1974, his remains were ceremoniously reburied at the Old Trail Town open-air museum in Cody, which symbolically cemented the city's connection to the era of pioneer mountaineers.
• Milward Simpson — Governor of Wyoming and US Senator.
  Father of Alan Simpson and patriarch of a political dynasty. He was the first Wyoming native to become governor of the state and actively promoted the economic development of the region in the mid-20th century.