Buffalo Bill Online Archive

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Buffalo Bill Online Archive is a digital collection which brings together material from many different collections to provide a glimpse into the professional and personal life of William F. Cody. The online collection consists of letters, correspondence, published material, ephemera, objects and photographs from the later 19th century thru the early 20th century. 

Born in 1846 west of the Mississippi, William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody lived an eventful life, often played out on the public stage. During his 71 years he worked for a wagon train, participated in the gold rush to Colorado, rode for the Pony Express, served as a scout for the Union's 7th Kansas Cavalry during the Civil War, got married, had four children, hunted buffalo for Kansas Pacific work crews, was a civilian scout and guide for the Fifth Cavalry, started what became Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and became an international showman, newspaper owner and businessman.

The online collection reflects only a portion of original material from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center available on exhibit or for research in McCracken Research Library. Additional material will continue to be added over time.  

Learn more about William F. Cody.

Supported by OCLC, Mrs. Lynne Cheney, and a grant from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, a program of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. Thank you!

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West

Letters & Correspondence

Photographs