The Sheridan Inn's significance in our nation's history lies primarily in its direct connection with William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody, who developed and sold the concept of the Inn to the railroad. As part owner, he directed hotel management, and even auditioned new members for his touring company the 'Wild West' show from the front porch. Buffalo Bill pulled together one of the most interesting casts of true-to-life characters that has probably ever been assembled. Some he had known as a young frontier scout and others he met later as a Pony Express rider, military scout, cattle rancher, mine owner, or in one of his many other enterprises. Each of the twenty-two rooms at the revitalized Sheridan Inn, BW Signature Collection focuses on Buffalo Bill and twenty-one other key characters from his life. Each suite will present the times and individual histories of these people in the room’s overall finish, furnishings, art, artifacts, and exhibits. You will know the characters as icons of the American West, while others you may have never heard of previously, but they are all people you will want to know. Together, they have helped shape how we as Americans see ourselves and how others in the world see us. Often noted as one of the Inn's most distinguishing architectural features is the broad and inviting front porch, wrapping around the north, south, and east elevations. As evidenced by photographs, the porch has not only been a favorite of Inn guests, but it was also a favorite of Cody's. Historic photographs show him enjoying the porch with a crowd of his cronies, auditioning for the Wild West show, or just relaxing on the porch alone. The comprehensive porch restoration stabilized the porch column foundations, removed deteriorated portions of wood columns, brackets, corbels and beams. All replacements were made with the same species of wood to maintain the historical significance of authenticity. Our front desk closes at 10 pm MT time.
