Tecumseh's Frontier Trading Post

 

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Paul C.

Sacramento, CA

7/19/2008 6 photos

Wyoming towns are full of Wild West whatnot, and Cody is Wild West central, home to Buffalo Bill and the great Wild West Show.  Tecumseh's Trading Post is the best Wild West souvenir shop we found after looking through all of Cody, Yellowstone, and Jackson Hole.  

At first glance it has the usual arrow heads and buffalo horns, but then when you start looking more closely you realize it is much more than just souvenirs.  Tecumseh's has real goods from all the local reservations - the Northern Cheyenne, the Shoshone, and the Arapahoe.  The items include clothing, jewelry, blankets, pottery, weaponry, and all are hand made by local tribes.

In the back is a *free* large museum room set up with a diorama in the middle and display cases all about.  The diorama and museum pieces follow Wyoming and Montana history from before white settlement through the 1890's.  It is an amazing collection, just as good as much of what is at the large Western Museum in town (except the firearms museum which is a must see).  We spent over an hour looking around this room.

Also, at the Trading Post you can special order items, such as authentic clothing - Indian or Western - they will even make something from hides that you bring in.  

Here is a little sample of what is in the store (from their website):

Cree Medicine Bag $29.95
Elk Hide Smoked Tan  $5.95 sq. ft.
Hide Breast Plate $160
Buffalo Skull $125
Tomahawk $50
Indian Scout Hat $200
War Bonnet $300
Strong Heart Society Horn Bonnet with Trailer $475
Medicine Drum $180 Approx. 12" round. Hand painted rawhide head side rim covered with beaver fur. Hand beater also decorated. Painting designs vary.
Cheyenne Riflecase. $120 Made of buckskin. Fur trim, long fringes, and beaded rosettes.
Powder Horn with Beaded Strap $85
Strike-A-Light Bag $65
Northern Plains Knife Sheath & Knife $125
Coyote Fur Bow case & Quiver $225
Plains Indian Bow (includes 3 arrows) $225
Otter Skin Medicine Bag $500
Buffalo Spirit Shield $195 Made of Rawhide, approx. 16" in diameter.  Painted Buffalo design & hoop marks on front. Beaver fur, painted feathers.
Medicine Horn Bonnet $300 Made with Buffalo fur, Buffalo, horns, beaded brow band, quilled medicine wheels, medicine bag.
Indian Scout Hat $200 Made with complete coyote skin on buckskin crown, beaded rosettes, feathers.

So, if you are in Cody for a little tourism or you know a Wild West buff that might want a special something then be sure to give Tecumseh's Trading Post a looksee.  While you are there be sure to have breakfast at "Our Place" next door (25 cent coffee!) and drop by for a *bang* across the street at the gigantic fireworks supply store.

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