Backstory

Casper College archivist layoff fuels growing concern over ‘irreplaceable collection’

CASPER, Wyo. – Casper historians, students, journalists and researchers have viewed the massive collection at Casper College’s Western History Center (WHC) as an essential and invaluable resource for decades. “I... Read more »

05/18/21 9:07 AM

Backstory: When a beloved, aging Casper school was sacrificed for a midcentury masterpiece

04/14/21 12:10 PM

Today in Wyo History: unique state-run workers’ comp act signed in 1915

02/27/21 4:27 PM

Casper homeowner looks for clues on baptismal certificate found during remodel

CASPER, Wyo. – Tricia Provence and her boyfriend Billy Lytle didn’t expect any surprises as they went to work removing a wall in Tricia’s Casper home recently. Billy, experienced in... Read more »

02/24/21 2:56 PM

‘The Last Western:’ new book reexamines infamous 1978 killing in Rock Springs

CASPER, Wyo — A 1978 killing in Rock Springs and subsequent murder trial that garnered national attention is reexamined in “The Last Western”, a new book by journalist Roan Tempest,... Read more »

01/27/21 7:49 AM

New Fort Casper exhibit has at least one story for every letter of the alphabet

CASPER, Wyo — The staff at the Fort Caspar Museum has organized a new way to explore Casper’s history, according to release Saturday. The “A, B, C’s of Casper History,” ... Read more »

12/12/20 4:52 PM

(PHOTOS) Hazard tree becomes David Street Station’s 2020 centerpiece through volunteer efforts

CASPER, Wyo — When Kevin Hawley, executive director of Downtown Development Authority, saw architect Lyle Murtha and engineer Bob Lower’s designs for a “frozen pond” skating rink around a Christmas Tree... Read more »

12/01/20 9:46 PM

Black 14 launch 180-ton food initiative with UW, Mormon Church

October 30, 2020 by Angus M. Thuermer Jr, WyoFile The University of Wyoming’s famous 1969 Black 14 football players are teaming with historic adversaries to deliver up to 180 tons of food... Read more »

10/31/20 10:28 AM

UW Cowboys host Hawaii for Paniolo Trophy at War Memorial home opener Friday

UPDATE: The Cowboys defeated the Rainbow Warriors 31-7 and retained the Paniolo Trophy Friday. The Pokes lead the series 15-10. CASPER, Wyo — The University of Wyoming Cowboys are kicking... Read more »

10/30/20 7:07 PM

Backstory: Stuck truck amuck under McKinley St. Bridge

CASPER, Wyo. – There seems to be a pattern with the McKinley Street railroad bridge. Starting next week on Oct. 6, the street surrounding the bridge will be intermittently closed... Read more »

10/02/20 2:46 PM

Pennsylvania hunters, robbed last week, bring loaned gear and pizza to Casper PD

CASPER, Wyo –Though unsuccessful in their elk hunt in the Bighorn mountains, bowhunters Daniel Toomey, Jake Meals and Hunter Lefever began their return journey to Butler, Pennsylvania with a better... Read more »

09/25/20 5:33 PM

Theater company’s cemetery tour will revive figures from Casper’s past

CASPER, Wyo — Edness Kimball Wilkins, Lucy Morrison, and Verda James are among the illustrious figures from Casper’s past that will be revived by actors of the Casper Theater Company... Read more »

09/21/20 2:05 PM

Backstory: Casper’s Armory crumbles after tough preservation fight (PHOTOS)

CASPER, Wyo. – Demolition crews came early for the old Wyoming National Guard Armory in May, 1987. That decision by then-mayor Jack Kelly to move up demolition by several days... Read more »

09/07/20 10:30 AM

NWS: September record highs observed Saturday, including Casper, some triple-digits

CASPER, Wyo — As projected, Casper saw record high temperatures for the date of September 5, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Riverton. From a low of 45... Read more »

09/06/20 10:35 AM

Casper’s legacy of college rodeo action to be featured on ESPNU

CASPER, Wyo — Two decades’ worth of College National Finals Rodeo action from the Casper Events Center will be featured on the college sports network ESPNU next Tuesday, according to... Read more »

08/31/20 2:40 PM

VIDEO: Giantess Geyser emerges from six year dormancy in Yellowstone

CASPER, Wyo — On Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Giantess Geyser erupted to life after an atypically long six-and-a-half years of dormancy, said Yellowstone National Park officials said on Saturday. The... Read more »

08/29/20 5:38 PM

V Worth Christie ready to make County Commissioner his full-time job

CASPER, Wyo — V Worth Christie is confident he has the temperament, experience and resources to be a Natrona County commissioner. He’s running for one two open seats to be... Read more »

08/02/20 7:01 PM

(Aug. 1, 1985): 12 fatalities as deadly storm floods Cheyenne

CASPER, Wyo— Wyoming may be 4” below normally precipitation in 2020, but on August 1, 1985 a slow-moving thunderstorm dumped up to 8 inches on parts of Cheyenne in about... Read more »

08/01/20 2:18 PM

Today in Wy history: (1937) Climbers make first technical Devil’s Tower ascent

CASPER, Wyo — On Monday, June 28, 1937, Fritz Weissner, Lawrence Coveney and William P. House became the first climbers to make a technical ascent of Devil’s Tower. Previous summits... Read more »

06/28/20 3:18 PM

Centennial re-dedication of Mills monument marking death of Caspar Collins July 5

CASPER, Wyo — On Sunday, July 5th at 1:00 pm, the Fort Caspar Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) and Mills town officials will hold a rededication... Read more »

06/22/20 6:47 PM

Today in Wyo history (1880): “Rocky Mountain” Harry Yount becomes first park ranger at Yellowstone

CASPER, Wyo — On June 21, 1880, “Rocky Mountain” Harry Yount was hired by the US Department of the Interior to be Yellowstone National Park’s (YNP) first gamekeeper. His work... Read more »

06/21/20 2:06 PM

Today in Wyoming history: (1931) USS Wyoming rescues submarine attempting Arctic crossing

CASPER, Wyo — On June 14, 1931, the ship the USS Wyoming rescued the submarine Nautilus in the Atlantic Ocean. The USS Wyoming was on a training cruise with midshipmen... Read more »

06/14/20 2:48 PM

Backstory: Casper restaurant had bootlegging, gambling, prostitution and shooting on the menu

CASPER, Wyo. – Hidden on hundreds of negatives in yellow Kodak boxes at the Casper College Western History Center are untold ghosts of the city captured decades ago. The trove... Read more »

05/13/20 6:00 AM

Backstory: Casper Drive-In Theaters did social distancing before it was cool

CASPER, Wyo. – With the stress and social disruption of the COVID-19 global pandemic upon us, it would be great to escape reality for a couple of hours in a... Read more »

04/22/20 2:14 PM

Backstory: During COVID-19 shutdown, the ghosts of 1918 flu pandemic echo through Casper today

CASPER, Wyo. – The COVID-19 global pandemic has encouraged many to look back at the devastating flu pandemic that swept the world just over a century ago. By all accounts,... Read more »

04/07/20 7:57 AM

Backstory: Snow-covered scenes from Casper’s past (PHOTOS)

CASPER, Wyo. – It’s understandable to feel a little hopeless this time of year. The first snow of the season is usually met with excitement and glee, coupled with the... Read more »

02/06/20 2:24 PM

Backstory: Footage from 1930 shows Casper and Salt Creek Oil Fields in operation

CASPER, Wyo. – Film footage posted online gives a visual lesson on life and work in the oilfields during the 1930s. The film, posted by archive firm Periscope Film, was... Read more »

01/02/20 10:51 AM

Backstory: Color photo of Casper’s first McDonald’s brings 1960s back to life

CASPER, Wyo. – A color photo of the Golden Arches in Casper captures a moment when the town was growing east during its post-war boom. The photo, shot on color... Read more »

12/05/19 1:02 PM

Backstory: Casper wasn’t fooled by 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast

The modernized and Americanized retelling of the classic literary story by H.G. Wells, went down in urban legend (and more than a few history books) as causing a mass panic that had people literally running for the hills.

10/30/19 2:13 PM

Backstory: Remembering the Rex, Casper’s first luxury theater (Photos)

CASPER, Wyo. – The lot at 124 South Center in downtown Casper has likely been a parking lot longer than it was anything else. Its longest resident, other than the... Read more »

10/08/19 2:16 PM

Backstory: Yes, Virginia, this Casper hotel has crazy history

CASPER, Wyo – The red brick building on the corner of First and Market Streets is a quiet place these days. The building is currently home to several recently built... Read more »

05/20/19 2:13 PM

Backstory: This lost Casper hotel was a Palace in name only

The name of a Palace Hotel brings thoughts of luxury and grandeur. The Palace Hotel in San Fransisco, for instance, is recognized nationally as a historic landmark in that area.... Read more »

04/26/19 7:35 AM

Backstory: A ghostly living room survives the decades on South Durbin (Photos)

CASPER, Wyo. — A first time time visitor to Casper might be taken aback by the curious ghost sign on the side of a downtown building. While the building appears... Read more »

04/19/19 6:10 AM

Backstory: Scene of long-forgotten crash unearthed in found photos

Update: Additional information on the crash and vehicles was sent by readers to Oil City News after this article was first posted. It has been added at the end. It’s... Read more »

04/11/19 11:36 AM

Backstory: Found photo brings back ghost of Casper’s Spaniol Motors

A long-forgotten photo of a big American coupe parked in front of a dealership was recently brought back to life. The nugget of Casper’s past is one of thousands of... Read more »

02/18/19 2:15 PM

Backstory: When Sears introduced ‘ultra modern’ shopping to Casper

Sears was once considered one of the most innovative and modern retailers in America. All that excitement and innovation seemed forgotten when Sears ended its run in Casper with barely... Read more »

02/04/19 3:10 PM

BACKSTORY: Vintage Casper Christmas (PHOTOS)

Since in the earliest days of practical photography, no time of year has ever made people reach for their cameras more than Christmas. As locations, hairstyles and gifts change, the... Read more »

12/18/18 5:20 AM

Older Posts

Backstory

Casper College archivist layoff fuels growing concern over ‘irreplaceable collection’

Backstory: Historic photos give glimpse at Casper’s mostly-gone small grocers

Backstory: When 70+ grocery stores dotted Casper’s neighborhoods

Backstory: Trove of photos document vintage Casper in glorious color

Backstory: When a beloved, aging Casper school was sacrificed for a midcentury masterpiece

Today in Wyo History: unique state-run workers’ comp act signed in 1915

Casper homeowner looks for clues on baptismal certificate found during remodel

‘The Last Western:’ new book reexamines infamous 1978 killing in Rock Springs

New Fort Casper exhibit has at least one story for every letter of the alphabet

(PHOTOS) Hazard tree becomes David Street Station’s 2020 centerpiece through volunteer efforts

Black 14 launch 180-ton food initiative with UW, Mormon Church

UW Cowboys host Hawaii for Paniolo Trophy at War Memorial home opener Friday

Backstory: Stuck truck amuck under McKinley St. Bridge

Pennsylvania hunters, robbed last week, bring loaned gear and pizza to Casper PD

Theater company’s cemetery tour will revive figures from Casper’s past

Backstory: Casper’s Armory crumbles after tough preservation fight (PHOTOS)

NWS: September record highs observed Saturday, including Casper, some triple-digits

Casper’s legacy of college rodeo action to be featured on ESPNU

VIDEO: Giantess Geyser emerges from six year dormancy in Yellowstone

V Worth Christie ready to make County Commissioner his full-time job

(Aug. 1, 1985): 12 fatalities as deadly storm floods Cheyenne

Today in Wy history: (1937) Climbers make first technical Devil’s Tower ascent

Centennial re-dedication of Mills monument marking death of Caspar Collins July 5

Today in Wyo history (1880): “Rocky Mountain” Harry Yount becomes first park ranger at Yellowstone

Today in Wyoming history: (1931) USS Wyoming rescues submarine attempting Arctic crossing

Backstory: Casper restaurant had bootlegging, gambling, prostitution and shooting on the menu

Backstory: Casper Drive-In Theaters did social distancing before it was cool

Backstory: During COVID-19 shutdown, the ghosts of 1918 flu pandemic echo through Casper today

Backstory: Snow-covered scenes from Casper’s past (PHOTOS)

Backstory: Footage from 1930 shows Casper and Salt Creek Oil Fields in operation

Backstory: Color photo of Casper’s first McDonald’s brings 1960s back to life

Backstory: Casper wasn’t fooled by 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast

Backstory: Remembering the Rex, Casper’s first luxury theater (Photos)

Backstory: Yes, Virginia, this Casper hotel has crazy history

Backstory: This lost Casper hotel was a Palace in name only

Backstory: A ghostly living room survives the decades on South Durbin (Photos)

Backstory: Scene of long-forgotten crash unearthed in found photos

Backstory: Found photo brings back ghost of Casper’s Spaniol Motors

Backstory: When Sears introduced ‘ultra modern’ shopping to Casper

BACKSTORY: Vintage Casper Christmas (PHOTOS)

Crime

Crime

Recent Arrests (5/17/21 – 5/18/21)

Oil City Police Calls (5/14/21 – 5/17/21)

Gaetz associate agrees to cooperate in federal investigation

Recent Arrests (5/14/21 – 5/17/21)

Arrest made after boy, 4, found slain on Dallas street

Obituaries

Obituaries

Wyo. law enforcement mourns death of retired K9

Obituaries: Rhodes Jr., Souders, McNeely, McLaughlin, Curuchet

Obituary: Donna J McMurry

Obituaries: De La Rosa, Eklund

Obituaries: Bournes, Aeschliman

Community

Latest News

Strong thunderstorms, heavy downpours, hail possible in areas of Wyoming

Spring snowmelt runoff forecast 30% below average in the North Platte River Basin

Casper ‘COVID Block Party’ giving away CNFR, ZZ Top, Foreigner tickets, vaccines and more

CW Hospice invites community to ‘Grief and Remembrance’ gathering in Casper’s Healing Park at Conwell

Casper College archivist layoff fuels growing concern over ‘irreplaceable collection’

Wyoming

Community

Spring snowmelt runoff forecast 30% below average in the North Platte River Basin

Game and Fish says hunting has helped stabilize gray wolf population, manage conflicts

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Wyo reach 3-month high over weekend; 178 new cases confirmed

Casper to see ~$9.12M boost under American Rescue Plan; Natrona ~$15.5M

One dead, three injured in head-on crash Saturday near Cheyenne

Promoted

Employment

Front Office Assistant position opening at Optimal Pediatric Therapy

UW at Casper’s New BAS Concentration

Wyoming Medical Center first in state to offer non-surgical Gastric Balloon Placement for weight loss

Optimal Pediatric Therapy looking for a Rehabilitation Technician

Passion for the Law: The Story of Ryan Ford

Galleries

City

PHOTOS: Park students help plant trees in City Park

(PHOTOS) La Cocina wins Taco Fest; pineapple tacos from Grant Street a sleeper hit