Step into one of America's most enduring burial mysteries, where the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody's final resting place remains hotly debated nearly a century after his death. This fascinating investigation spans from Colorado's Lookout Mountain to Nebraska, following Josh Gates' quest to uncover whether the famous showman's body was secretly moved 500 miles from his official grave site.
The Buffalo Bill burial sites investigation area spans two locations approximately 500 miles apart: the official grave on Lookout Mountain near Golden, Colorado, and a contested site in Cody, Wyoming. Buffalo Bill Cody, the legendary American frontiersman and Wild West showman, died on January 10, 1917, and was officially buried atop Lookout Mountain in June 1917. However, persistent rumors claim his body was stolen and reburied near the town he founded in Wyoming, leading Gates to investigate both sites. The controversy has endured for over a century, with passionate arguments from supporters of both burial locations.
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody born in Iowa Territory
Buffalo Bill's Wild West show founded, touring internationally and making Cody one of America's most famous celebrities
Cody founds the town of Cody, Wyoming, in the region he loved
Buffalo Bill Cody dies in Denver, Colorado, on January 10
Cody buried on Lookout Mountain near Golden, Colorado, in June amid conflicting reports about his final wishes
Gates investigates the burial controversy in Expedition Unknown Season 15
The controversy over Buffalo Bill's final resting place stems from conflicting accounts of his deathbed wishes and the unusual circumstances surrounding his burial. Supporters of the Wyoming theory point to statements suggesting Cody wanted to be buried on Cedar Mountain overlooking the town he founded, while Colorado defenders cite his wife Louisa's decisions and legal documentation supporting the Lookout Mountain burial. The debate has been fueled by the fact that Cody's burial was delayed several months after his January death, occurring only in June 1917, giving rise to speculation about what happened during that interval.
Historians have noted that the Wild West showman was a complex figure who made various statements about burial preferences at different times in his life. Some accounts suggest financial considerations played a role in the burial location decision, as Denver civic boosters reportedly offered Louisa Cody a substantial sum to ensure the famous frontiersman would be buried near their city, recognizing the tourism value. The Lookout Mountain grave site has indeed become a significant tourist attraction, drawing visitors to the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave.
The investigation Gates conducted represents one of the few modern forensic approaches to the controversy. Rather than relying solely on historical documents and oral tradition, the use of cadaver dogs offered a scientific method to test the Wyoming burial theory. However, as with many historical mysteries involving century-old events and limited physical evidence, definitive proof remains elusive.
The episode explored how this burial controversy reflects broader themes in American frontier mythology and the commercialization of Western legends. Buffalo Bill himself was a master showman who blurred the lines between reality and performance throughout his life, making it perhaps fitting that even his final resting place remains a subject of debate and investigation over a century after his death.
Buffalo Bill's Wild West show toured throughout the United States and Europe, performing for Queen Victoria and becoming one of the most successful entertainment ventures of the late 19th century
Legend claims that concrete was poured over the Lookout Mountain grave to prevent the body from being stolen and moved to Wyoming
The town of Cody, Wyoming, which Buffalo Bill founded, has offered rewards at various times for proof regarding the burial controversy
Buffalo Bill earned his nickname by reportedly killing over 4,000 bison in an 18-month period while supplying meat to railroad workers
The official Buffalo Bill grave site on Lookout Mountain is accessible to visitors and features a museum dedicated to the showman's life and legacy. The contested Wyoming site near Cody is in a more remote location; visitors interested in the burial controversy should check with local historical societies for access information. Both locations are part of Buffalo Bill country, with numerous museums and historical markers throughout the region.
Denver, Colorado (approximately 20 miles from Lookout Mountain) and Cody, Wyoming (near the contested alternative site, approximately 500 miles northwest)
Late spring through early fall offers the best weather for visiting both Colorado and Wyoming sites, with summer being peak tourist season. Winter visits to Lookout Mountain are possible but may involve snow and ice at the mountain elevation.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
Another iconic American historical site investigated by Gates involving mysteries about what happened to famous individuals at a legendary location
Donner Pass
Western American frontier site associated with famous 19th-century events and persistent historical mysteries
Bannack State Park
Remote Western ghost town site that Gates investigated, exploring legends and historical controversies from America's frontier era
Best time to visit: Spring through fall (April-October) offers the best weather conditions for visiting both the mountain grave site and exploring the investigation areas.
Travel tip: The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave on Lookout Mountain requires a scenic mountain drive - check road conditions in winter and allow extra time for the winding route.