Lakota Hills near Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Lariat Loop Byway: Buffalo Bill Museum

Photographed By Charles T. Harrell, July 3, 2011

1. Lariat Loop Byway: Buffalo Bill Museum Marker

Inscription. Lariat Loop
•The Lariat Loop is a scenic circle of natural splendors, historic and cultural treasures and recreation pleasures. See spectacular mountain scenery and enjoy a vintage auto tour in foothills canyons. Welcome to 40 miles of fun.

Lariat Loop Byway: Buffalo Bill Museum •When William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody visited Lookout Mountain park, he was impressed by the view of mountains and plains. He told his wife Louisa, daughter Irma, foster son Johnny Baker, and others that he would like to be buried up here. After his death in 1917, his family had him buried in Lookout Mountain Park in accordance with his wishes. Cody’s gravesite soon became a popular destination. In 1921 Johnny Baker opened a museum, gift shop and restaurant in a building he called “Pahaska Tepee.” Pahaska, meaning “Long Hair,” had been the Lakota nickname for Buffalo Bill.

Johnny Baker’s museum contained many artifacts that had belonged to Buffalo Bill, as well as posters and other materials Baker collected over the thirty years he performed with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. Friends of Buffalo Bill, former performers with the Wild West and people who had seen the show added to this collection. In 1979 the museum was moved out of Pahaska Tepee into its own building. Today the Buffalo Bill Museum, Pahaska Tepee gift

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shop and cafe, and Buffalo Bill’s grave are all part of a complex owned and operated by the City of Denver Parks and Recreation Department. Exhibits about Buffalo Bill and the Old West can be enjoyed in the Museum while gift items and food can be purchased in Pahaska Tepee.

Interpretive panels were funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration, Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Last picture assigned 3047

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 39° 43.985′ N, 105° 14.319′ W. Marker is near Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is in Lakota Hills. Marker is on Lariat Loop Road. Marker is at parking lot of the Buffalo Bill Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Golden CO 80401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lariat Loop Byway: Denver Mountain Parks (here, next to this marker); Who Was Buffalo Bill? (here, next to this marker); Charles E. Kirk (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo Bill's Grave — Frequently Asked Questions (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo Bill's Grave — Why is Buffalo Bill Buried Here? (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo Bill

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Our Changing Landscape-From Sea Floor to Mountain Top (within shouting distance of this marker); What You Can See From Here Today (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 736 times since then and 10 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.