|
Bridge over Shoshone River, undated
To the west of Cody, the South and North Forks of the Stinking Water combine.
In 1902 the Legislature renamed the River as the Shoshone.
Bridge over Shoshone River, 1911
The river had been discovered and named in 1807-08 trapping expeditions on behalf of
Manuel de Lisa by John Colter. The river took its name of Stinking Water from the sulphurous
springs near Cody.
Pahaska Teepee, undated
In 1901 Col. Cody selected the site for the Pahaska Teepee 1 1/2 miles from the entrance
to Yellowstone Park. The hotel was located at the confluence of the North Fork of the Shoshone and
Middle Creek. Pahaska was an Indian name for Cody (see
Buffalo Bill).
Cody Road along North Fork Shoshone River, 1904.
Even though Yellowstone National Park is primarily in
Wyoming, prior to 1899 the only practical access to the Park was through Montana. Consideration of the
construction of a wagon road from Wyoming into the Park dates back as far as 1881 when Territorial
Governor John W. Hoyt visited the Park with the view of locating a route for a road into the Park without
the necessity of traveling into Idaho and Montana. Government tends to move slowly and it was not
until 1899, that a wagon road was constructed from Fort Washakie to Yellowstone over Togwotee Pass.
 Cody Road, 1907, photo by F. J. Hiscock
Governor Hoyt in his annual report discussed a route along the North Fork of the Stinking Water earlier explored by Capt. William A. Jones in 1873.
Governor Hoyt noted the advantages and disadvantages of the route:
It also has the advantage of leading almost at once, after crossing the
divide, to the foot of Yellowstone Lake, where the most important
improvements are likely to be placed. Nor is it wanting,
along the Stinking Water, in fine scenery, timber, or good water,
for the mountains are covered with forests, and the river, so outraged
by its name, is a pure and beautiful stream as far down as we saw it,
having its sources among the loftiest of the Sierras and being well
supplied with trout. It has the disadvantage of partly lying through
a section (between the Wind River and the Ishawooa) not well supplied
with water at all points in the dry season, of requiring many more
bridges than the Wind River route, besides a considerable amount of
rock in the canyon, and, finally, of having a much less easy grade at
and near the summit of the divide.
Construction of the road along the Stinking Water, however, did not occur until
until 1903. As indicated in the photo, the road was little more than a trail.
The Pahaska was opened for business in 1904, although not completed until 1905.
Rates at the hotel were $3.00 a day or $15.00 a week. Amenities included baths and a long distance
telephone.
On his 1916 inspection tour Park Service Director Mather was no more impressed with the
Pahaska that he was with the Irma. Albright later wrote:
Just before we reached the entrance to Yellowstone, Mather had us stop at
the Pahaska Lodge, also owned and operated by Buffalo Bill Cody. It turned out
to be just as bad as the Irma, if not worse. Lunch was one dollar, far too much
for the horrible, greasy, inedible food served by loud, boisterous, grimy, but glitzy
waitresses. Mather muttered to me, "Could Cody be operating a combination eating
place and brothel?" After studying the situation, he ordered us not to eat
a bite. He threw cash on the table (fifty cents per person) and stalked out, vowing to make the place change
or he'd close it.
Of course, he had no more jursidiction over the Pahaska than he
had over the Shoshone Dam, but if he decided to do something, it got done.
I had learned that much about Stephen Mather in the year and a half I'd been
around him.
Earlier in the day, Mather wishing to inspect the Shoshone Dam, had ordered his
chauffeur to break off a padlock on the gate which impeded Director Mather's
inspection and had ordered a dam attendant to demolish unsightly buildings.
Photo Montage of Pahaska
Teepee, approx. 1911, by A. G. Lucier.
The automobile is a White steamer used to bring guests to the hotel from Cody.
The steam-powered automobile would leave daily from the Irma at noon and would arrive at
the Pahaska in time for dinner. The automobiles were introduced in 1909 at the urging of Jake
Schwoob, manager of the Cody Trading Company who was an early autombile enthusiast. Indeed, when
registration plates were introduced in the state, Schwoob was honored by having license
plate number 1.
Cody expressed to Gordon Lillie, his partner in the Wild West show, that his only desire
was to be able to retire to the Pahaska. But because of his declining finances as,
Cody was able to visit the hotel only about six times before his death. In
1913, Cody hosted Albert, Prince of Monaco, at the Pahaska. Cody's health, as noted on the
previous page, had begun to deteriorate and he was no longer able to act as a
guide.
Hunting Party led by Col. Cody, 1907
Cody's autumn hunting parties were not without risk. The New York Tribune, October 30, 1906,
reported that one of his parties with British army officers and several Austrians were lost in
an October blizzard. They were not really lost, but were delayed by several days by the snow.
Cody Road, Winter,
approx. 1910.
Next Page: Cody Road Continued, Holm Lodge, Tex Holm, Ned Frost.
|