Living History
Past
Founded in 1880, the Occidental Hotel quickly became one of the most renowned hotels in Wyoming. Located near the Bozeman Trail at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, the hotel was visited by many famous people of the Old West as they traveled along the Trail. Early in its existence, the Occidental established a reputation for hospitality and fine food.
Among those who enjoyed the hospitality of the Occidental in the early days were Buffalo Bill Cody, Teddy Roosevelt, and Calamity Jane, who drove freight wagons on the Bozeman Trail.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid rode to the Occidental from their hideout at the nearby Hole-in-the-Wall. The famous cattle detective and killer, Tom Horn, was another frequent visitor. And legendary frontier sheriffs like Frank Canton and “Red” Angus were regulars at the bar.
As time passed, the Occidental was expanded and re-built until it became a “grand” hotel with elegant decor and fine service. Cowboys from around Wyoming – and business travelers and tourists from around the world – went miles out of their way to enjoy the many pleasures and comforts offered at the Occidental.
Then, during the Great Depression of the 1930’s, the splendor of the hotel began to fade. Everybody in Wyoming tightened their belts; money became scarce. Businesses dried up and the owners of the Occidental began the long struggle to keep the doors open. By the 1980s, the hotel, run down and dilapidated, seemed destined to be lost to history.
But the Occidental was not torn down. Instead, the building was purchased in 1997 by Dawn Dawson, who began the painstaking ten-year process of historic restoration. She further initiated and achieved getting the hotel on the National Historical Register. During this period David Stewart helped Dawn to restore the North Wing of the hotel and started the Saloon’s Famous Occidental Jam (est. 2006). The Hotel maintained an overwhelming show of support from the community of Buffalo. David and Jackie Stewart became managing partners in 2008 and purchased 100% of the property in 2015.
Present
Now, when you step through the front door of the Historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, you are truly stepping back into the Old West and seeing it the way it really was.
The beautiful embossed ceilings you see over your head in the lobby and in the saloon are the original ceilings. The magnificent back bar that you will see in the saloon is the original back bar that was brought in by wagon a hundred years ago. And the chairs you will sit in are likely to be antiques that are original to the hotel.
Even the bullet holes that you will see in the saloon are original.
All of it was preserved, as if by some kind of historical miracle, when many other hotels of the Old West were being torn down. And now it has been accurately and beautifully restored to its original grandeur.
When you check into a room or suite at the Occidental, you will find that your accommodations have the historic authenticity of the rest of the hotel – combined with all of the modern amenities that will make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as you would like it to be.
All rooms and suites are furnished with antiques and decorated in elegant period style. Most of our rooms have large private baths, capacious Queen or King beds, central air conditioning, cable television and free wireless access to the internet. We also offer a few economy rooms with full-size beds for those folks on a budget who want to experience the Occidental.
Since all rooms and suites have different furnishings and decor, we invite you to select your personal favorite here.
The Occidental Hotel is one of the great hotels of the Old West. True West Magazine made it official by naming the Occidental Hotel, “The Best Hotel in The West!”, and shortly after “The Best Saloon In The West”. The Occidental was placed on the National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s; “Must Stay List.”
In this new era, featured and awarded again and again, The Historic Occidental continues its reputation for western hospitality and fine food. Traveler's from anywhere can step into history when they visit the Historic Occidental Hotel.