Explore 25 acres of Buffalo Bill’s original ranch, including the house and barn, during your visit to the Park. The house and barn have been restored to their original state to reflect the days Buffalo Bill lived on the ranch. Outdoors you can wander the Park’s gorgeous grounds.
House
Buffalo Bill’s two-story Empire style home, with Italianate and East Lake features, was built by Patrick Walsh in 1886 at the cost of $3,900. No expense was spared during the construction of the house. Step inside the nine-room home with numerous closets and pantries and discover period furnishings and memorabilia from Buffalo Bill’s career.
Barn
The barn is a sprawling structure situated in the midst of the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. At 148-feet long, 70-feet wide and 40-feet high, the two-story barn took seven railroad cars of lumber to build. Outside look for the horse-powered grain grinder. Manufactured by the L.B. McCarger Feed & Mill Co. of St. Joseph, Missouri, the grain grinder was used to power the grain elevator during the late 19th and early 20th century. The grain was then elevated upstairs to one of the two storage bins and used as needed. As you step inside the barn you will see horse stalls that once housed draft and riding horses. An impressive collection of saddles including side saddles, Mexican saddles, California and Texas saddles and a McClellan Saddle are on display in the barn. Highlighted in the collection is a saddle from the late1800s with Cody’s initials inscribed on the back fender. It is argued, however, whether the saddle actually belonged to Buffalo Bill Cody. Additional memorabilia throughout the barn includes reigns, carriages, chains and iron.
Grounds
Wander amid the lush lawns and towering trees of the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and discover its outbuildings including an ice house and spring house. If you follow the North Platte River behind the barn across the old over bridge, you will find a cabin with a sod roof where Buffalo Bill Cody lived for some time with his ranch scout partner, Luther North.
- From old-fashioned Christmas celebrations to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in the summer, the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park hosts special events throughout the year. Visit the official Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park website to find out more about special events taking place during your visit.
- Be sure to explore the Gift Shop, located in Buffalo Bill Cody’s house.
- Do not forget your camera. There will be excited photo opportunities during your visit to the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park.