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This is a continuing story about our summertime vacation to
Yellowstone and the surrounding areas. After admiring the city square
with the fabulous four antler arches one more time and touring
interesting sites in Jackson, getting some rest and enjoying some
great food, our group of four hit the highway again saying goodbye to
the majestic Grand Teton Mountains. We drove hours through incredibly
rugged mountain views and picturesque property to the last destination
on our list, Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming.
You know when you see the site of the nationally famous rodeo and all
those cowboy hats and boots that you have entered the world of the old
westerns. The "Cody Nite Rodeo" as it is known, is usually open every
night for a performance but because we were there during the pandemic
of 2020, many of the performances had been suspended or greatly
modified for the protection of the visitors. "The Cody Nite Rodeo
started in 1938 and is the longest running and the only nightly rodeo
(June-August) in the world. " Perhaps one day we can return and enjoy
the rodeo experience.
Our rooms were located toward the back to the hotel so we lugged that
heavy luggage, now full of more dirty than clean clothes, to the back
staircase and it seemed that every time we opened the door, a cowboy
appeared and carried our suitcase to the top of the stairs. We joked
that they must be hiding in that antique wallpaper while waiting to
assist us traveling folks. And, I might add, it happened again as we
were leaving, a handsome and friendly cowboy appeared and carried the
luggage down the staircase.
Thankfully the 6pm live presentation starring the Cody Gunfighters,
the Wild Bunch, had not been suspended and we attended that evening’s
performance. Here is how the advertisement describes the experience:
"You’ll be comfortable at The Irma. It’s a place fancy enough for
royalty and plain enough for cowboys and cowgirls. You’ll love
Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel. It’s the heart of Cody, Wyoming. "
We toured the hotel, enjoyed the dinner that our Bill had talked about
during the entire trip, prime rib with all the trimmings. We enjoyed
the historic scene while sitting in the middle of the famous hotel
restaurant that was built in 1902 and named after his daughter Irma.
Nearby is the impressive bar made of cherry wood that was presented to
Wild Bill Cody by Queen Victoria of England; it is so impressive it is
difficult to capture in a photograph.
The site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in
1973 and according to the stories, is haunted by the spirit of Irma.
Because of the displayed photos, it is easy to realize why so many
ghost stories are told in that establishment. "Irma died of influenza
and pneumonia in the hotel when she was 35 just a few days after her
husband and hotel manager Fred Garlow, died of pneumonia. "
Brenda S. Brown
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