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Colorado Vignette - Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave

William F. Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill, mirrors the legend and mystique of the Wild West more than any other person of his time.

The Buffalo Bill Museum was started in 1921, just 4 years after Buffalo Bill was buried on Lookout Mountain. Johnny Baker, a marksman with the Wild West shows and a foster son of Buffalo Bill’s, began the museum to house mementoes from Buffalo Bill’s life. Because of his relationship to Bill he was able to compile the largest collection of Wild West Show posters in existence. Today the original museum building is a historic site housing a gift shop; the collection compiled by Baker is exhibited in a modern building beside it. Museum exhibits include a historical timeline of Buffalo Bill’s life, posters from the Wild West Shows, a Native American gallery and a special temporary exhibit of personal artifacts from Buffalo Bill.

According to his widow, Buffalo Bill chose to be buried on Lookout Mountain because of its spectacular view. From the grave site, visitors can enjoy the two landscapes that played such a great part in his life: The Rocky Mountains and The Great Plains.

The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave is located just 30 minutes from downtown Denver at exit 256 off I 70, then follow the signs. Or take 6th Avenue West to Golden and turn left onto the Lariat Loop Scenic Byway (19th Street) and follow the winding road to the top of the mountain. The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave site is open 9:am -5:pm every day between May 1 and October 31. It is open from 9:am to 4:pm and closed Mondays, between November 1 and April 30. The views are spectacular. The address is 9871/2 Lookout Mt. Rd., Golden, CO 80401.

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