Caroline Lockhart

Pioneering Cody journalist Caroline Lockhart’s own Lockhart Inn was demolished last week in the early afternoon hours. The Inn was built in the early 1900’s.  It was once used as a bar and brothel then later changed to an early bed and breakfast. 

The inn was two stories and consisted of six rooms, all with unique names that Lockhart had picked out herself.  “The Full of the Moon,” “The Me Smith,” The Suzette,” “The Lady Doc,” “Caroline,” and the “Wampus Cat,” which was named after her pet bobcat. Lockhart was a writer and journalist who was originally from Illinois and then moved to Philadelphia and then Boston. She then headed west and wrote for the Denver Post. She traveled to Wyoming in 1904.  

Lockhart was the head of the Cody Stampede Board and also published the Cody Enterprise. She used the Enterprise to promote the Stampede Rodeo. Lockhart even suggested that a large statue of Buffalo Bill Cody be erected, which now stands beside West Park Hospital.  

Ownership of the Lockhart Inn changed hands many times over the years, and rumors of the place even being haunted began floating around town. Cindy Baldwin purchased the Lockhart Inn in 1985. She fell in love with the place after staying there for a few nights.  The Inn was situated to just outside of town near Cassie’s Supper Club. She then moved her family from Bellflower, California, and they grew fond of the establishment. Her daughter, Heather Rogers has fond memories of the place, and how much her mother loved it.  

“It had so much, let alone the historical value, it meant everything to my mother,” she said. “It was also a place for people to find refuge. My mother reminded me a lot of Caroline, both were strong and powerful women. When I found out they tore it down, it felt like my mother had died all over again.”

There was talk of the old inn becoming a museum, though it was not established as a historical landmark. Now, cherished memories of those who once resided there are all that are left of the Lockhart Inn.