Buffalo, Wyoming, has a lovely downtown with the Occidental Hotel, an 1880’s historical hotel that was on the Bozeman Trail, the Johnson County Courthouse and the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. Buffalo gets its name not from the animals that roamed here, but from the city of Buffalo, NY. Possible names were submitted on pieces of paper, and Buffalo was drawn from the hat, having been submitted by a young man from that city in New York.

There are several murals and bronze art pieces in the downtown area. D. Michael Thomas makes incredibly detailed statues, both big and small. Many are displayed in the museum, and some life-sized or bigger are installed around the town.

My favorite Thomas work was in miniature inside the museum, and in full life-size along the street. It was called “After the Dust Settles” and it depicts two war horses, a Calvary horse and an Indian pony, finding comfort standing together as horses do.

We visited the museum and it was really well-done. They had geology and wildlife displays along with artifacts about the history of Johnson County and Buffalo. Pictures are not allowed in the Native American collection area and the local Cheyenne occasionally visit to bless the exhibit.

Oops, we didn’t get any pictures of our campground, but it was very nice. We had shade trees and very clean bathrooms. We’d definitely stay here again, and with only one night in the area, we are leaving many un-hiked trails behind.