Robyn Cutter, archivist at the Park County Archives, local historian Bob Richard, and Mike Darby of the Irma Hotel will be presenting a program on the History of the Irma Hotel at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the historic hotel's restaurant. There will be lots of photos shown from the past 100 years and many stories told from Buffalo Bill’s grandiose plans, growth of the hotel through the years, interesting people who stayed there as well as the changes in ownership. Appetizers will also be served.

One of the things Buffalo Bill Cody had to commit to, in order for the Burlington Railroad to bring a rail line into Cody, was a hotel, so he decided to build the Irma Hotel, named after his daughter Irma, Cutter said. The hotel opened Nov. 1, 1902.  The Irma Hack provided transportation from the railroad depot to the Irma and back, as well as to Pahaska Tepee.  

By 1910, the room rates were at $1 per day. This was also the same year Louisa and Buffalo Bill made their first trip to Pahaska by a White Steamer automobile. 

The hotel has had quite the history. The Irma Hotel was lost in a poker match by H.T. Newell, there have been numerous fires at the Irma through time, the Queen Anne windows that once were showcased at the front of the hotel are now windows in the Bandana Room at the Holiday Inn, the world’s tallest man stayed at the Irma Hotel and Jane Garlow built a miniature golf course beside the Irma. In 1965, Bill Garlow made a plea not to let the Irma Hotel get torn down. These are some of the stories to be told during the program.  

The public is invited to attend free of charge, appetizers will be served; come out and enjoy a nice evening at the Irma.