Does someone still linger where cowboys and outlaws once walked? The Occidental Hotel in downtown Buffalo preserves the rugged charm of the Old West, with tales of spectral children, historic spirits, and unexplained movements that have kept guests and staff on edge. If you’re drawn to haunted hotels steeped in frontier legend, the Occidental may just be your next stop.
Ghost Stories of the Haunted Occidental Hotel
Over its 140‑year history, the Occidental has accrued a long list of hauntings:
- Emily the Ghost Child – Guests and employees report seeing or feeling a small child’s presence, particularly near the Bordello Suite, saying, “I felt something slide into the bed” or hearing faint laughter and tapping.
- Spirit Interactions – Bottles pop off shelves by themselves, glasses shatter without cause, and chairs cast odd shadows—“sometimes I think things move there,” according to staff.
- Historical Cowboy & Presidential Apparitions – Visitors have seen shadow figures and cowboy spirits near the back stairs, while others claim to glimpse Teddy Roosevelt’s figure in the library.
- Uneasy Sounds – Staff report hearing piano keys playing in empty rooms, disembodied voices saying names like “Richard,” and footsteps on the historic back staircase.
The Occidental earned national spotlight in a segment on Ghost Adventures’ “Haunted 307” special, where the crew documented bottle movements, captured EVPs, and filmed a shadowy figure drifting through the saloon. The hotel also appeared on the regional series Haunted 307: Ghost Hunting at the Occidental, which showcased EVP sessions and nighttime walkthroughs of the historic lobby and guest rooms. In 2011, Black Hills Paranormal Investigations conducted a two-day investigation, capturing female voices in EVPs, observing a closet door opening by itself in Room 19, and reporting physical interactions such as being poked by unseen hands. These high-profile features—along with ongoing guest encounters and public ghost hunts—have helped cement the Occidental’s status as one of Wyoming’s most haunted hotels.
A Historic Legacy in Buffalo
Built in 1880 and reconstructed in brick by 1910, the Occidental welcomed iconic figures like Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane, Butch Cassidy, Tom Horn, Teddy Roosevelt, and author Owen Wister. Surviving near demolition in the late 1990s, its careful restoration preserved original furnishings, saloon bullet holes, and historic architecture. Today, the Occidental functions as a museum-hotel, saloon, restaurant, and cultural centerpiece in downtown Buffalo—inviting guests to soak in its storied past, whether they’re chasing legends or just a restful night’s sleep.
Visiting Tips for a Ghostly Adventure
Planning to experience the hauntings firsthand? Here’s how to make it happen:
Plan Your Visit: The Occidental Hotel operates as a working museum-hotel. Guided historic tours of the lobby, saloon, and select rooms are offered daily by appointment (typically at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.) and cost around $10 per person or $50 for small groups. They also host seasonal ghost tours and paranormal investigations—check the hotel’s official site or call (307) 684‑0451 for dates, room availability, and event bookings.
Details about hours, access, and events are accurate at the time of writing. Please check the location’s official website for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit.
Spooky Spots to Discover:
- Bordello Suite / Room 19 – Frequent child apparition and mysterious closet door activity.
- Saloon Bar – Staff report bottles moving, glasses cracking, and phantom spurs on the back staircase.
- Library – Feel Teddy Roosevelt’s presence; guests have smelled perfume and seen his figure.
- Back Staircase & North Wing – Cited for footsteps, shadows, and a protective tall Victorian figure roaming the hall.
Dare to Explore the Haunted Occidental Hotel?
With reports of ghosts from multiple eras, the Occidental offers a visit that’s as immersive as it is eerie. If you’re ready to sleep where history and the supernatural collide, this Wyoming landmark promises an experience like no other.
