Occidental Hotel Museum | Buffalo

The Occidental Hotel Museum is a historic hotel located in Buffalo, Wyoming, USA.

This structure preserves the original architecture and furnishings of a late 19th-century Western hotel.

Visual Characteristics

The hotel is a two-story brick building with a prominent corner entrance. The exterior features white trim around windows and doors, contrasting with the red brick. A wooden veranda extends across the front facade. The interior retains original wood flooring, pressed tin ceilings, and period furniture.

Location & Access Logistics

The Occidental Hotel Museum is situated at 10 N. Main Street in Buffalo, Wyoming. It is located in the downtown area, approximately 0.2 km west of the intersection of Interstate 90 and US Highway 16. Ample street parking is available on Main Street and adjacent side streets. No public transport directly serves the museum.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of the Occidental Hotel began in 1879 and was completed in 1880. It was built by Colonel Edward A. Slack, a prominent figure in Wyoming territorial politics and journalism. The hotel served as a central gathering place for travelers, ranchers, and businessmen in the developing West.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore the preserved hotel rooms, including the lobby, dining room, and guest accommodations, furnished with artifacts from the era. Self-guided tours are permitted throughout the accessible areas of the hotel. The museum staff provides information on the hotel's history and notable guests.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on the ground floor. Limited shaded areas are present on the veranda. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available in the downtown area. No food vendors are located within the museum itself, but several restaurants are within a 0.1 km radius.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The best time of day for interior photography is mid-morning or mid-afternoon to avoid direct sunlight glare on displays. The months of May through September offer the most favorable weather for travel to Buffalo.

Facts & Legends

The Occidental Hotel was once frequented by figures such as Buffalo Bill Cody and Calamity Jane. A persistent local anecdote suggests that the hotel's original owner, Colonel Slack, intentionally designed the building to be slightly asymmetrical to avoid any appearance of perfection, a common belief among some builders of the time.

Nearby Landmarks

• Johnson County Courthouse (0.1km North)
• Jim Gatchell Museum (0.2km West)
• Hole-in-the-Wall Gang Museum (1.5km Southeast)
• Bighorn National Forest (Access point 10km West)