![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.kirstenlynnwildwest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/P1000266.jpg\" "\\"P1000266\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nBy 1892, the railroad was built as far as Sheridan, Wyoming and westward expansion was at the height of popularity.\u00a0 The railroad brought adventurous souls out West in search for a new life, as well as transporting agricultural goods, coal and cattle back East. Recognizing the advantages of the railroad in establishing the new frontier, and the need for lodging along the line the Sheridan Land Company, with the blessing of the Burlington and Missouri Railroad, undertook the ambitious task of building the Sheridan Inn.<\/p>\n
The Inn\u2019s design was inspired by its architect, Thomas Rogers Kimball\u2019s visit to a Scottish hunting lodge and included 69 gabled windows. Construction of the Inn began in December of 1892 and was completed six months later. The Inn boasted the first running-water bathtubs and electric lights in town, and the first telephone line was connected to a downtown drugstore.<\/p>\n George and Lucy Canfield were the Inn\u2019s first managers and were known for their extravagant dinners and gracious hospitality. George was responsible for acquiring the Inn\u2019s furnishings; among them was the saloon\u2019s bar. The bar was made from American oak with a mahogany countertop, and included front and back bars complete with wine cooler, liquor cabinet, and cigar case.\u00a0 If you didn\u2019t get your fill at the Mint you can still belly up to this bar today, where Buffalo Bill Cody used to by rounds for the house.\u00a0 Make sure you order a Wyoming Slug a concoction of champagne and whiskey popular with the saloon patrons of the past.<\/p>\n Western legend Buffalo Bill Cody had many ties to the Sheridan Inn.\u00a0 In 1894, Cody became a Sheridan Land Company partner when he purchased the Inn\u2019s furnishings and opened the W.F. Cody Transportation Company behind the Inn.\u00a0 The Canfields continued to manage the property, which now included a livery barn, stage line (part of Cody\u2019s line from the Inn to Deadwood, SD), freighting service, and mail carrier. The Inn\u2019s mud wagon ferried passengers back and forth from town about a mile away.<\/p>\n Cody auditioned local cowboys for his Wild West show from the comfort of the Inn\u2019s sprawling porch. A few of the cowboy\u2019s wives were featured in one of the Wild West show\u2019s acts. The wives rode sidesaddle and, with their partners, performed a square dance on horseback.\u00a0 For many years the Inn sponsored a Wild West show as a fundraiser that also honored its extraordinary past.<\/p>\n Not all Cody\u2019s visits to the Inn were pleasant. In 1902, Cody\u2019s son-in-law, Horton Boal committed suicide in room 52 of the Inn.\u00a0 Then in 1905, Cody visited the Inn while seeking a divorce from his wife Louisa. The divorce was not granted and after that, Bill Cody didn\u2019t visit the Inn until 1910 as plans for the town of Cody, Wyoming took much of his time.<\/p>\n Author Ernest Hemingway was another frequent guest at the Sheridan Inn. Hemingway wrote parts of A Farewell to Arms<\/em> from a room on the third floor of the Sheridan Inn from August 3rd to 8th, 1928. Eventually, he found the activity at the Inn to be too distracting to his productivity, and he went in search of quieter locations. His search for peace ended at the Spear-O-Wigwam ranch in the Big Horn Mountains, where he finished the novel. Hemingway returned to the Inn several times in the 1930s to visit. (I told Cookie to keep it down, but the old codger was really tyin\u2019 one on, and once he gets to whoopin\u2019 it up well\u2026)<\/p>\n Other notable visitors included, Bob Hope, Robert Taylor, Will Rogers and a number of U.S. Presidents.<\/p>\n The Inn hit hard times in the late 1930s as owner after owner passed through its doors struggling to maintain the building and operate the business. In 1965, the Sheridan community feared the worst that the Inn would have to be demolished.\u00a0 The Sheridan County Historical Society tried to save the Inn holding an auction, but proceeds fell short.<\/p>\n New York heiress, Neltje, purchased the Inn in 1967, and became known as the \u201cwoman who saved the Inn.\u201d\u00a0 The saloon re-opened in 1968, and was followed shortly with the re-opening of the dining room, Ladies Parlor, and Wyoming Room. During Neltje\u2019s two-decade run as the Inn\u2019s owner the Inn\u2019s place in Sheridan was revitalized. The Inn hosted many public events and dinners.\u00a0 Struggling to make money, the Inn\u2019s doors closed again in 1986. Despite the purchase of the Inn by the Sheridan Heritage Center and plans to revive the historic building, the Sheridan Inn is once again facing financial difficulties and looking for someone (s) to step forth and resuscitate this Sheridan institution.<\/p>\n Cookie and me would sure hate to see the old girl go. We shared a great steak and even better bread puddin\u2019 at the old Inn not too long ago.<\/p>\n But on a brighter note, and let me tell y\u2019all the tongues are waggin\u2019 about that rodeo cowboy Cal Renner upstairs in his room with local girl, Josie Allison! Cookie is blushin\u2019 to beat the band! Me\u2026I\u2019m enjoyin\u2019 this show \u2018til the big rodeo this Saturday! Whoa, I think I just saw Ma and Pa Renner headin\u2019 upstairs\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SOURCES:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.sheridaninn.com\/history.html<\/a><\/p>\n Blair, Pat, Prater, Dana and the Sheridan County Museum. Images of America: Sheridan<\/em>. Arcadia Publishing, 2008.<\/p>\n **Photos in color belong to Kirsten Lynn. Black and White photos are property of the www.sheridaninn.com**<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Don\u2019t know about y\u2019all, but after kickin\u2019 it up at the Mint, Cookie and me had to find a place to bed down.\u00a0 So, we beat our boots on over to the Sheridan Inn where it\u2019s always in apple pie … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n