While Not Official, February 26 is a Holiday in Cody

An obscure historical resolution was recently unearthed by the Park County Archives and reported in an article in the Park County Enterprise on February 28, 1917. The resolution was formed during a meeting at the Irma around Buffalo Bill’s birthday in late February and the article shows it designates February 26th as a legal holiday in Cody to honor Buffalo Bill.

This resolution came about only a little over a month after the death of the famous Cody founder after his birthday. Over the years, the holiday mostly fell by the wayside, save for the Annual Buffalo Bill Birthday Ball hosted by the Knights of Columbus (get your tickets before they’re gone), and the laying of the wreath at the Scout Statue.

Resolution Not in the Records

Upon further examination at City Hall, Tina Gail, administrative services officer for the City of Cody, found the official minutes of the City Council from 1917. However, the only item found was a resolution from January 1917.

Buffalo Bill died on January 10, 1917. Two days later, the town council called a special meeting on January 12, 1917. They passed a resolution to “express to the immediate family the most heartfelt sympathy at this hour of their great sorrow.”

The January record includes the condolence message, “From Col. Cody many of our citizens received the inspiration which enabled them to endure the hardships of pioneer life and build the City, which, we hope is a credit to his faith and courage; many received from him more material aid and there are none who were not cheered and encouraged by him by both word and example. He was a warm friend of every citizen of this community and with you we mourn our great loss.”

No record from the late February meeting at the Irma Hotel exists in the officially bound records. Perhaps that resolution was paperclipped in, making it prone to falling out. Other items have been entered in that fashion. Unfortunately, this means it’s not a “legal” holiday.

Let’s Celebrate Anyway

Even though February 26 was not an official holiday in the records, late February is a perfect time for a city-wide party to celebrate Buffalo Bill. Knowing this town, it could turn into quite a party.

The current City Council encourages us to revive this local holiday by holding an open house complete with a buffalo cake. Everyone is welcome.

So, on Thursday, February 26, raise a glass and enjoy some good food.

Buffalo Bill’s Birthday Celebrations:

• 11:00 am – Laying of the Wreath at the Scout Statue
• 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – City Hall Open House
• Evening: The Irma will celebrate with a best Buffalo Bill look-a-like Contest and drink specials, including Buffalo Bill’s favorite: The Stone Fence.
• Evening: The Chamberlin Inn will host an “Agnus Chamberlin Salutes Buffalo Bill” special .
• Steph’s Kitchen will also host specials honoring Buffalo Bill.
• And wrap it all up on Saturday, February 28 with the Buffalo Bill Birthday Ball.

Watch the calendar for these events. If you’re able to put something together, drop us an email so we can add it in.

Original Newspaper Article

Here’s the transcribed article from the Park County Enterprise, February 28, 1917.

Our City Honors Founder of Town
Birthday of Old Scout is declared a municipal holiday
February 26 Made Legal Holiday

City Council Recommends That This Date Hereafter Be Celebrated in a Fitting Manner by Our Citizens

At a big mass meeting at the Irma Hotel Monday night, wherein the mayor and all the prominent business men in town took part, it was unanimously decided that in the future the 26th day of February, the birthday of our most distinguished citizen, Col. W. F. Cody, “Buffalo Bill,” would be declared a legal holiday and be observed in our city by the closing of business houses, hoisting of flags and banqueting; a day of general celebration throughout the city.

It was decided that the annual banquet that was always given on the evening of the homecoming of Col. Cody, when the ranchers and old-timers for miles around who were his pioneer friends and perhaps by far the truest friends he ever had, would come to town to celebrate the biggest event of the year – the homecoming of Col. Cody. This banquet will continue to be held annually on the evening of the day of his birth, and the re his old friends for years to come will gather to toast the memory of their departed friend, that his name and the knowledge of his fame may remain forever fresh in the minds of the younger generation who will continue the custom now established and strive to make Cody day the most joyful holiday of the year, even as the man whose memory this will perpetuate was the towns’ most famous citizen.

The following resolutions were drawn and unanimously endorsed by the city council, thus establishing the 26th of February as a legal holiday, which in future years will prove to be the most glorious celebration of the year!

A Resolution

Be It Resolved: By the Town Council of the Town of Cody, County of Park, State of Wyoming:

Whereas: It has pleased the Almighty to remove from our midst our time honored and esteemed citizen, Hon. William F. Cody (“Buffalo Bill”) the founder of the Town of Cody;

And, Whereas: The Citizens of the Town of Cody are greatly bereaved thereby and deeply mourn the loss of this grand old man, and

Whereas: They desire to perpetuate his memory through the years to come, keeping the knowledge of the high esteem in which he was held by the people of Cody forever fresh in the minds of the younger generation.

Therefore, Be It Resolved: That the 26th day of February, the day of his birth, be set aside and is hereby declared a local holiday by the said Town of Cody, Wyoming, and as an everlasting token of respect and in memory of him who has gone from us forever;

Be It Further Resolved: That this Council does recommend to the citizens of Cody that the aforesaid 26th day of February be observed each year hereafter in a manner befitting the memory of this great man, with the flying of flags, decoration of private and business houses and with suitable address, banqueting and other appropriate program.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the records of the Town of Cody and a copy sent to the bereaved family and copy to the public press.

(Signed) W.S. Owens, Mayor
Attest – C.L. Brady. Clerk

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