LOCAL HISTORY
Discover Casper: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Casper through the years.
1859 - Louis Guinard built a bridge and trading post (Caper, Wy)
In July 1865, Lieutenant Caspar Collins (the son of Colonel Collins) was killed near the post by a group of Indian warriors. Three months later the garrison was renamed Fort Caspar after Lieutenant Collins.
In 1867, the troops were ordered to abandon Fort Caspar in favor of Fort Fetterman downstream on the North Platte along the Bozeman Trail.
June 15, 1888 Casper, Wyo., founded when Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad arrives at the site.
www.wyohistory.org/ encyclopedia/ casper-wyoming
1891 - FOUR LIVES LOST AT CASPER. A Swollen Creek Washes Away the Camps of Pleasure Seekers.
CASPER, Wyoming, Aug 1 - Four, and possibly more lives were lost by a cloudburst on Casper Mountain, at the head of Garden Creek, last night.
The creek is about seven miles long from mouth to source, and is lined with camps. Near the head of the creek is a Summer resort, frequented by local picnic parties. The first thing the flood reached was the pleasure resort at the head of Garden Creek. At this point all the buildings were crushed and swept away, and the original site of the hotel at this point is buried beneath wreckage twenty or more feet deep.
From this place the water followed the course of the creek and demolished everything in its path. Judging from water marks, a volume of water forty feet high and thirty rods wide must have passed a narrow defile about 2 miles form the mountain proper.
This great flood of water in its rush down the side of the mountain found many campers up and down the creek, either sleeping or just about ready to retire for the night.
S....
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1895 - Casper
Cas'per, a post-town of Natrona co., Wyoming, 48 miles by rail W. by N. of Douglas. It has a church, 3 banks, and 2 £paper offices. Pop. 544.
1909 - Engineer killed by exploding boiler.
Casper. - One man was killed and two injured, one probably fatally, by the explosion of the boiler of a Burlington locomotive twelve miles west of here. The dead man is B. H. MILLER, an engineer, a resident of this city. The fireman, LEW SCHULZ, also of this city, was badly scalded and had both arms and one leg broken. He will probably die. J. A. MARQUARDT of Casper, brakeman, was scalded and suffered a broken leg. The explosion threw the boiler 350 feet ahead of the train and wrecked track for 100 feet.
Colorado 1915-12-09
Alamosa Journal
Alamosa, Colorado
December 9, 1915
October 20, 1913 Burlington Railroad arrives in Casper, Wyo.
www.wyohistory.org/ encyclopedia/ casper-wyoming
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1916
Casper, a banking city, capital of Natrona eo., Wyo., on the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley R., 150 miles NW. of Cheyenne. It has an extensive shipping trade and is a wool-centre. Pop. in 1900, 883.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1
Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916
J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
1921 - OIL SET AFIRE BY LIGHTNING. SEVERAL LARGE TANKS BURNING AT CASPER; ONE MAN IS INJURED.
Casper, Wyo., June 18. - Several large tanks containing about 445,000 barrels of crude and fuel oil were burning here this afternoon after being struck by lightning. The fire is centered in the Midwest Refining company's tank farm.
Chemicals were used in an effort to extinguish the fire, but without success. The city was darkened by billows of smoke which spread over it. Officials would not venture a guess as to when the fire would be brought under control.
The blaze continued under a downpour of rain which approached a cloudburst. Destruction of the tanks and oils, unless the fire is controlled, will aggregate more than half a million dollars, company officials said. More than one thousand men were rushed to the scene to protect other tanks.
One injured man was taken to the hospital.
Ogden Standard-Examiner
Ogden, Utah
June 18, 1921
1957 - March 1 - KTWO TV channel 2 in Casper, WY (NBC/ABC/CBS) begins broadcasting
1961 - November 3-4 - A rare November thunderstorm produced snow at Casper, WY.
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Casper:
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center:
Dive into the rich history of the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express Trails. It's an educational and fascinating experience.
Casper Mountain:
Head to the nearby Casper Mountain for outdoor adventures. There are hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and in winter, it's a great spot for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Alcova Reservoir:
Just a short drive from Casper, Alcova Reservoir is perfect for water activities. You can go boating, fishing, or simply enjoy a day by the water.
Fort Caspar Museum and Historic Site:
Learn about the region's history with exhibits on Native Americans, the Oregon Trail, and the development of the military outpost.
Tate Geological Museum:
Located on the Casper College campus, this museum boasts an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils, including a complete Allosaurus skeleton.
David Street Station:
A vibrant downtown square with a variety of events...
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History of Casper, Wyoming, USA
