The history of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce is almost as colorful and eventful as the founding of the town.

Cody town founders, standing left to right, are George Bleistein, H. M. Gerrans, and Bronson Rumsey. Seated are William F. Cody and George T. Beck. All except Gerrans were members of Cody Club. (George T. Beck Collection, American Heritage Center,
University of Wyoming photo)

Founded in 1900 by George T. Beck as "The Cody Club," the first organiza-tion was a sports-man's club and practically every man in the county joined, including Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who was elected "permanent first vice president."

The Cody Club enjoyed periods of great activity, several dormant periods and in 1919 a commercial club was organized that evolved into the Cody Chamber of Commerce.

The first noonday lunch began February 11, 1920 at the Chamberlin Hotel. By 1941 the regular Monday lunch meetings had moved to The Cody Club Room at the Cody Auditorium, and that tradition continues today.

Thanks to a generous donation from the late Paul Stock, the chamber moved into its current headquarters in 1968. The building we occupy was the original Buffalo Bill Museum and additional office space was added in 1998. We share our quarters with the Cody Country Art League.

Through the years the officers, directors and membership wrestled with changing the name from Cody Club to Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, and that finally happened in 1977 during the presidency of Kit Cody, the great-grandson of Buffalo Bill.

Today, the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce enjoys a membership of more than 650, making it the fifth largest in Wyoming not bad for a community of 9,000!!

The committee structure has changed over the years to reflect the issues of the time. The chamber currently has six active committees: Ambassadors, National Parks, Government Affairs, Cody Marketing Council, Cody Economic Development Council, and the Buffalo Bill Art Show.