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A little history about Pahaska Teepee
Johnny Baker was Colonel Cody’s foster son since the age of 7 and had been long associated with him and his Wild West Show since its very inception. Baker was a sharp shooter for the show and Cody’s arena director throughout Buffalo Bill’s World tours. He shared many of the honors that came to that great American organization, having appeared with Cody before the nobility of Europe and millions of American citizens. During those years, Colonel Cody presented Baker with many tokens of affection in the shape of jewelry, and autographed photos. After Cody’s death, Johnny Baker came into possession of most of Cody’s personal effects such as Cody’s silver mounted saddles, bridles, guns, and Cody’s buckskins that he appeared in before the public. Johnny Baker also had the hat that Buffalo Bill had worn at his last public performance on November 11th 1916. As well as the last cartridge Cody fired from a gun, a lock of Cody’s hair and the receipt for the last money that Buffalo Bill had earned with his show. And while the Colonel died a poor man, Baker had a copy of Buffalo Bill’s will, executed 1910, in which Cody disposes of a fortune of a couple hundred thousand dollars. Johnny Baker had a collection that was and still is of great interest to visitors to Lookout Mountain and the Buffalo Bill Memorial Park. In 1920, Johnny Baker proposed to the City of Denver that he be granted a lease to a location adjacent to Buffalo Bill’s tomb to erect a building to display his collection free of charge and to entertain visitors to Lookout Mountain. His source of revenue would be derived from the sale of the Colonel’s books, postcards, photographic views, candies, and light refreshments. Promising to install an up to date Soda Fountain and cater to the demands of the tourist and citizens of Denver. In 1920 the city of Denver closed a contract with Johnny Baker, whereby a museum containing a representative collection of Buffalo Bill relics would be erected on Lookout Mountain about one hundred yards from Colonel Cody’s grave. The structure would be a commodious lodge of spruce logs, named Pahaska (Pa-Ha-Ska) Tepee. Pahaska (Long hair) being the Sioux name for Buffalo Bill. In May of 1921 the building was completed and dedicated. Johnny Baker managed the Pahaska until 1931 when he was succeeded by his wife, Olive, who remained until 1956. In 1977, the city of Denver built a large, modern museum and moved the collection to the new building. Although no longer used as a museum, the Pahaska still stands, honoring the great showman and scout, and entertaining and catering to the needs of the visitors and citizens of the city of Denver.