Incorporated in 1901, Cody, Wyoming is located 52 miles from Yellowstone National Park's east entrance. Cody was founded by Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who passed through the region in the 1870s. He was so impressed by the development possibilities of irrigation, rich soil, grand scenery, hunting, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park that he returned in the mid-1890s to start a town. He brought with him men whose names still adorn street signs in Cody's downtown area: Beck, Alger, Rumsey, Bleistein, and Salsbury. Today, Cody serves as the county seat for Park County. Cody's population of nearly 10,000 residents receive services from the City of Cody, including electricity, solid waste, water, wastewater, raw water, parks, recreation, law enforcement, and much more. Cody is a thriving community focused on serving the needs of the stable population base as well as the hundreds of thousands of annual visitors who travel from around the world to experience the beauty and culture of this mountainous area.