Our History

1957:  The LeClaire Women's Club (now defunct) established the Buffalo Bill Museum.  It was originally located in a store front on Cody Road in LeClaire, IA. The donated exhibits featured Mississippi river pilot artifacts, Buffalo Bill memorabilia, local Indian history, and items common to homes in the early 1800’s.

1968: The Lone Star, the last surviving wooden-hulled vessel of its kind, was dry-docked on the LeClaire levee and added to the museum’s collection.  The Lone Star is designated a “National Historic Landmark” (National Register # 89002461). 

1971:  the first small museum building was constructed on the LeClaire Levee next to the Lone Star. 

 2001: a 45 x 45 foot building addition was completed.

 2008: The Museum raised $990,000 to build the River Pilots Annex to house the Lone Star Stern Wheeler.

 2018:  The Robert Schiffke One-Room School building was added to the Museum. 

Today, the Museum welcomes nearly 20,000 visitors a year from all over the United States and 20+ foreign countries.  It is open 7 days a week, primarily through the efforts of volunteers.  The Buffalo Bill Museum is a popular tourist destination along the I-80 corridor and enjoys many five-star Google Reviews.