Posted in Wyoming April 19, 2018 by

The History Behind This Remote Hotel In Wyoming Is Both Eerie And Fascinating

There are plenty of places to stay if you’re planning a trip to Wyoming – thousands of people visit each year and camp in the Tetons or at Yellowstone. However, if you want a true Big Wyoming experience, you’ve got to explore our small frontier towns. One of these towns, Buffalo, is home to the most fascinating hotel in the entire West – the Occidental Hotel.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Spending time in Buffalo, Wyoming is like stepping back to the days of the Frontier.
Flickr / Brendan Bombaci
Right in the middle of it all is the famous and historic Occidental Hotel.
Flickr / Jasperado
Originally opened as a bordello, the Occidental opened as a Saloon & Hotel in 1880, back when Wyoming was truly part of the wild, wild west. Now, there's certainly something wild about the Occidental Hotel, but you'll have to be brave enough to visit to find out what it is!
The Occidental Hotel hasn't changed much in nearly 140 years, and when you step inside, you'll feel like a true Pioneer.
Facebook / Historic Occidental Hotel
The Hotel quickly earned a reputation for hospitality and fine food, and its location at the base of the Bighorn Mountains near the Bozeman Trail meant it was a popular spot for famous figures of the West.
Here at the bar, regulars included Buffalo Bill Cody, Sheriff Frank Canton, and Red Angus.
Facebook / Historic Occidental Hotel
Take note of the bullet holes in the ceiling - yes, they're real.

Calamity Jane, Teddy Roosevelt and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid all stayed here while in Wyoming.
The hotel was a popular place to stay from the 1880s until the Great Depression, when it suffered, much like the rest of America.
Facebook / Historic Occidental Hotel
It was around the early 1900s that the Occidental Hotel's paranormal activity was noted. When the Occidental was a bordello, one young woman died on the upper floor. For decades, her ghost has been seen with long dark hear, wearing a white dress. Guests have felt her tapping on their shoulder, they've seen her moving luggage around, and flickering the lights off and on. Sometimes, guests have even heard strange laughter! The paranormal history has led many to name the Occidental Hotel as the most haunted spot in all of Wyoming.
Even though many know about the hotel's haunted history, few are dissuaded from visiting the best hotel in the West.
Facebook / Historic Occidental Hotel
You'll often find rowdy crowds enjoying the life music in the Saloon, ordering delicious food and making friends. Thankfully, the rowdy, gambling-related gunfights aren't all too common here anymore.

The charming western town of Buffalo has recently gained popularity thanks to the TV series, Longmire, and you'll find people strolling the streets to track down locations that they'll recognize from the screen.
The history of the Occidental Hotel is truly fascinating, and these walls have seen more cowboy action than nearly any other building still standing in America.
Flickr / Jasperado
Take a step back in time when you visit this remote hotel with a creepy past located right in Buffalo, Wyoming.

There’s nothing more fascinating than exploring Wyoming’s small towns. If you love to see our state the way it was meant to be seen, Take This Road Trip Through Wyoming’s Most Picturesque Small Towns For An Unforgettable Experience.