26 Small American Towns With Secret Celebrity Connections

16. Cody, Wyoming: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Legacy

Cody, Wyoming, proudly wears its Wild West heritage on its sleeve, thanks to its famous founder, William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The legendary frontiersman, showman, and bison hunter established the town in 1896, envisioning it as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Cody’s influence on American history and entertainment is immeasurable—his Wild West Show brought the romance (and myths) of frontier life to audiences worldwide, solidifying the cowboy as an American icon. Today, Cody is a living testament to Buffalo Bill’s legacy. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a sprawling museum complex, houses exhibits on Western history, Native American culture, firearms, and natural science. Each summer, the town hosts the Cody Stampede Rodeo, one of the most renowned rodeo events in the country, keeping the cowboy spirit alive. For those seeking an authentic taste of the Old West, Cody delivers—where the echoes of Buffalo Bill’s larger-than-life persona still ride through the town like a gust of prairie wind.