Cody, Wyoming
Generated by DeepSeek V3.2Expansion Funnel Raw 58 → Dedup 0 → NER 0 → Enqueued 0
| Cody, Wyoming | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cody |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | "Gateway to Yellowstone" |
| Pushpin label | Cody |
| Coordinates | 44, 31, 24, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision name1 | Wyoming |
| Subdivision name2 | Park County |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1896 |
| Founder | William F. Cody |
| Named for | William F. Cody |
| Government type | Mayor-Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Matt Hall |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total sq mi | 10.43 |
| Area land sq mi | 10.42 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.01 |
| Elevation ft | 4998 |
| Population total | 10028 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Mountain (MST) |
| Utc offset | -7 |
| Timezone DST | MDT |
| Utc offset DST | -6 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 82414 |
| Area code | 307 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 56-15730 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1609090 |
| Website | https://www.cityofcody-wy.gov/ |
Cody, Wyoming. Founded in 1896 by the legendary showman William F. Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill, this city was established as the eastern gateway to the newly created Yellowstone National Park. Strategically located along the Shoshone River and near the mouth of the Wapiti Valley, it quickly grew from a frontier outpost into a major tourist destination and regional hub. Today, it serves as the county seat of Park County, Wyoming and remains deeply connected to its Western heritage, outdoor recreation, and proximity to America's first national park.
History
The area around present-day Cody was historically inhabited by several Plains Indian tribes, including the Crow and Shoshone. The U.S. Army established Camp Colter in 1879 to protect early settlers and surveyors. The town's modern history began in the 1890s when William F. Cody, along with investors like George T. Beck and Brigham Young Jr., formed the Shoshone Land and Irrigation Company to develop the region. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad reached the town in 1901, cementing its growth. Key historical sites include the Old Trail Town, a collection of preserved frontier buildings, and the Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill in 1902 and named for his daughter.
Geography
Cody is situated on the high plains of northwestern Wyoming, approximately 52 miles east of the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The city lies at an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet within the Bighorn Basin, flanked by several major mountain ranges including the Absaroka Range to the west and the Beartooth Mountains to the north. The Shoshone River flows through the city, with the Buffalo Bill Dam and Buffalo Bill Reservoir located just west of town. This dam, a pioneering concrete arch structure completed in 1910, was a key project of the United States Bureau of Reclamation.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 10,028. The racial makeup is predominantly non-Hispanic white, with smaller populations identifying as Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, and other groups. The population sees significant seasonal fluctuation due to tourism. Cody is part of the Cody, WY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Park County, Wyoming.
Economy
The economy is heavily driven by tourism related to Yellowstone National Park and Western heritage. Major employers include the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five museums, and the Cody Night Rodeo, a longstanding summer tradition. Healthcare, provided by facilities like the Cody Regional Health, and retail are also significant sectors. Energy production, including oil and gas development in the Bighorn Basin, along with agriculture, contribute to the local economy. The Yellowstone Regional Airport provides commercial air service.
Culture and recreation
Cody is renowned for its deep connection to the American Old West. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West houses the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, and the Draper Natural History Museum. Summer events include the nightly Cody Night Rodeo and the annual Cody Stampede rodeo during the Fourth of July holiday. Outdoor recreation is central, with access to world-class fishing on the North Fork of the Shoshone River, hunting, hiking in the Shoshone National Forest, and snowmobiling. The Cody Mural and the Heart Mountain World War II internment camp site are notable cultural landmarks nearby.
Government
Cody operates under a mayor-council form of government. The city is part of Wyoming's At-large congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Harriet Hageman. At the state level, it is within Wyoming Senate district 18 and Wyoming House of Representatives district 24. Local law enforcement is provided by the Cody Police Department, with the Park County Sheriff's Office also serving the area. The municipal government oversees utilities, parks, and the Cody Public Library.
Category:Cities in Wyoming Category:Park County, Wyoming Category:Yellowstone National Park