Backstory

Siblings unite after nearly 30 years of searching

CASPER, Wyo. — Natrona County Undersheriff Mark Sellers was born in Denver in 1967. His biological mother put him up for adoption and a family in Colorado Springs brought Sellers... Read more »

07/19/19 2:29 PM

Backstory: The life and fiery death of Casper’s swanky Riverside Club (Photos)

A column in the June 17, 1964 Casper Tribune reads almost like an obituary to a beloved friend. In Irving Garbutt’s “Off the Cuff” column, the writer mournfully memorializes one... Read more »

04/05/19 10:42 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

Hear Historic Radio Broadcasts Made During Pearl Harbor Attack in 1941

Pearl Harbor was attacked on this day in 1941, sending the United States into what would become World War II. In this age of instant and constant information, it’s almost... Read more »

12/07/18 12:55 PM

Backstory: The Parkway Plaza, now at a crossroads, was once Casper’s place to be (Photos)

The sprawling Parkway Plaza has been a fixture of Casper life for so long it’s difficult to imagine when it didn’t exist. The hotel, with over 300 rooms and whopping... Read more »

12/06/18 4:40 AM

BACKSTORY: 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast prompts Casper discussion, no panic reported

It has become synonymous with "mass hysteria."

10/30/18 3:52 PM

Backstory: Murder at the The Reef Lounge

This is our third Backstory feature on The Reef Lounge. See the first two here and here. The Reef Lounge opened in 1961 on the corner of First and Center... Read more »

10/24/18 4:00 AM

Backstory: ‘Coaches turned into death traps’ in 1923 train wreck near Casper

On September 23, 1923, a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy passenger train hauling nearly 70 people lumbered out of Casper’s station just after 8:30 p.m. The train pulling luxury smoking, sleeping... Read more »

09/10/18 3:33 PM

Backstory: Remembering Arcade Bar, one of downtown Casper’s longtime watering holes

There aren’t many images of the Arcade Bar on file at the Western History Center at Casper College. In spite of its current elusiveness, it was for decades one of... Read more »

08/24/18 12:44 PM

Backstory: More photos of Casper’s mysterious tiki lounge The Reef have surfaced

In a Backstory published earlier this year, we told you about a long-lost elaborate tiki lounge located on the corner of First and Center Streets right next to The America... Read more »

08/16/18 5:48 AM

Backstory: The Playdium in downtown Casper offered games, records and a Shetland pony

Long before the days of video games, Casper youth needed something to help keep busy during their free time. An arcade would seem to be a perfect solution. There isn’t... Read more »

08/08/18 5:20 AM

BACKSTORY: Before the Rialto, Webel ruled a downtown corner

The Rialto Theater on the corner of Second and Center Streets is one of downtown Casper's most recognizable landmarks.

07/04/18 6:45 AM

Backstory: A horse walks into a bar…no joke

Tales of dusty cowpokes bellying up to the bar while riding their faithful horse is a well worn trope in Casper. There are indeed photos of horses inside the old... Read more »

06/14/18 4:47 PM

Backstory: A Lost Old Garage Gets New Love

The building is on the National Historic Register list, even though half of it was hidden under a 70s-era addition when it was nominated. Casper’s historic Fire Station No. 1... Read more »

05/31/18 1:34 PM

Backstory: The Reef Lounge Gave Casper a Taste of Tiki

Americans were giddy for Polynesian culture in the years following WWII, or at least a romanticized version of the culture. The fantasy of cool cocktails on exotic Hawaiian beaches spread... Read more »

05/04/18 1:38 PM

BACKSTORY- A Lost Casper Lunch Counter

An undated photo in the Wyoming State Archives shows a smart looking staff proudly posing in front of an modest but inviting wood building. The large sign in front says... Read more »

03/30/18 12:03 PM

Backstory: The Colorful Ghosts of the Saddle Rock Cafe (PHOTOS)

A small structure connected to the south side of the Petroleum Building hides a lot of history inside of its remaining walls. For over 35-years the space at 208 S.... Read more »

03/21/18 2:49 PM

BACKSTORY-The Sullivan Mansion Still Impresses

One of the most stately historic mansions in central Casper has sat on the corner of 10th and Center Streets since it was built in 1909. The impressive 7,500 square... Read more »

01/31/18 11:24 AM

BACKSTORY-When Carnegie Helped Casper Build Its First Library

Andrew Carnegie was born in Scotland and immigrated to the Unites States as a child with his parents. Thanks to his success in businesses ranging from oil to railroads to... Read more »

01/26/18 2:15 PM

Backstory: Shop Casper…in 1957!

There was a time long ago…before Amazon and even before shopping malls…when holiday shoppers looked at their local newspaper and drove downtown for all of their shopping needs. We took... Read more »

12/18/17 2:13 PM

BACKSTORY: Ghosts of Christmas Past (PHOTOS)

As a special holiday gift, Oil City scoured the vast archives at the Western History Center at Casper College for images of Casper during the Christmas season. Shout out to... Read more »

12/07/17 9:07 AM

BACKSTORY: First Football Team at NCHS

Eighteen young men looking stoically into the lens represent Casper’s first ever high school football team. The high quality studio portrait dates from 1908 and is in the Western History... Read more »

11/16/17 10:30 AM

BACKSTORY: Haunted Happenings Inside the Historic Elks Lodge

Fraternity clubs were all the rage back in the day, and during the oil boom in the 1920s Casper’s Elks were flush with cash. In 1921 the Casper Elks Lodge... Read more »

10/25/17 2:27 PM

BACKSTORY-Great Pumpkins!

A vintage photograph shows two children sitting on the old courthouse steps in the early 1900s decked out for Halloween. It can be assumed that before the age of plastic... Read more »

10/05/17 9:28 AM

BACKSTORY-Second Street, 1954

A photo from the Western History Center at Casper College gives a clear view of the south side of Second Street facing west in 1954. A cafe and bar prominently... Read more »

09/26/17 7:05 AM

BACKSTORY-Casper In Living Neon Color

Pre-1970s Casper is well documented in black and white photos, many of them stunning. However, when a color photograph comes our way it tends to stand out, and what better... Read more »

09/19/17 6:06 AM

BACKSTORY-Found Photos Show Life In Early Casper

A group of found photos from a family photo album show pieces of Casper that seem completely foreign now. The photos were rescued by Survivor AC Dealers owner Reed Merschat.... Read more »

09/13/17 12:06 PM

BACKSTORY: Casper’s Old Central School

Classes for the 2017-2018 public school year are set to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 5. The first day of public school in Casper happened sometime in 1891, when Central School... Read more »

08/31/17 3:12 PM

Backstory: Casper’s Center Street From Boom To Bust To…Boom?

The Wyoming History Center at Casper College has no shortage of historic images of Casper’s Center Street. It’s not surprising since the street has been something of the backbone of... Read more »

08/24/17 5:57 AM

Backstory-North Casper Apartments Now Stand Alone

Two snapshots dated 1922 and 1928 show a basic apartment building at 250 N. Beech in Casper. The building appears nestled between houses and plenty of trees in what was... Read more »

08/09/17 12:10 PM

Backstory: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

The St. Mark’s Episcopal parish was established in Casper in 1890. According to their website, the parish built their first building on the corner of 2nd and Wolcott in 1891.... Read more »

08/08/17 9:39 AM

Backstory: Hidden In Plain Sight

Locating two houses featured in a 110-year-old photo isn’t always so easy, particularly if the houses in question have been modified over the decades. The vintage photo from the Casper... Read more »

07/19/17 9:52 AM

Backstory: Let’s Rodeo

The first rodeo event is believed to be held around 1914. The fair had no permanent home home for years and took place at various locations until the current fairgrounds location was purchased in 1947.

07/14/17 10:40 AM

Backstory: The Townsend Building

The Townsend Building on the corner of 2nd and Center St. has been a downtown landmark since 1903.

07/06/17 5:00 AM

Older Posts

Backstory

Siblings unite after nearly 30 years of searching

Backstory: Parades of Casper’s Past (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: The life and fiery death of Casper’s swanky Riverside Club (Photos)

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

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

Hear Historic Radio Broadcasts Made During Pearl Harbor Attack in 1941

Backstory: The Parkway Plaza, now at a crossroads, was once Casper’s place to be (Photos)

BACKSTORY: 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast prompts Casper discussion, no panic reported

Backstory: Murder at the The Reef Lounge

Backstory: ‘Coaches turned into death traps’ in 1923 train wreck near Casper

Backstory: Remembering Arcade Bar, one of downtown Casper’s longtime watering holes

Backstory: More photos of Casper’s mysterious tiki lounge The Reef have surfaced

Backstory: The Playdium in downtown Casper offered games, records and a Shetland pony

BACKSTORY: Before the Rialto, Webel ruled a downtown corner

Backstory: A horse walks into a bar…no joke

Backstory: A Lost Old Garage Gets New Love

Backstory: The Reef Lounge Gave Casper a Taste of Tiki

BACKSTORY- A Lost Casper Lunch Counter

Backstory: The Colorful Ghosts of the Saddle Rock Cafe (PHOTOS)

BACKSTORY-The Sullivan Mansion Still Impresses

BACKSTORY-When Carnegie Helped Casper Build Its First Library

Backstory: Shop Casper…in 1957!

BACKSTORY: Ghosts of Christmas Past (PHOTOS)

BACKSTORY: First Football Team at NCHS

BACKSTORY: Haunted Happenings Inside the Historic Elks Lodge

BACKSTORY-Great Pumpkins!

BACKSTORY-Second Street, 1954

BACKSTORY-Casper In Living Neon Color

BACKSTORY-Found Photos Show Life In Early Casper

BACKSTORY: Casper’s Old Central School

Backstory: Casper’s Center Street From Boom To Bust To…Boom?

Backstory-North Casper Apartments Now Stand Alone

Backstory: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Backstory: Hidden In Plain Sight

Backstory: Let’s Rodeo

Backstory: The Townsend Building

Crime

Breaking News

Cheyenne Police identify suspect in shooting death of two

Cheyenne PD: 2 adults dead, 2 juveniles injured in shooting incident

Woman facing recommended Child Endangerment charges after search of home

Recent Arrests (9/13/19 – 9/15/19)

Weekly Arrests (9/6/19 – 9/12/19)

Obituaries

AP

Ric Ocasek, visionary leader of The Cars, left indelible mark on music

Obituaries: McKenzie-Moore, Lacey

Family says Eddie Money, ‘Two Tickets to Paradise’ singer, dies at 70

Obituaries: Maes, McMurtry

Obituaries: Garrison, Jumer

Community

Breaking News

Two women die from injuries in crash south of Casper

Casper to spring into autumn with peace festival; music by Inda Eaton (PHOTOS)

Casper College’s ‘Constitution Day’ inspects role of free press in politics

Bike and horse riders to cooperate; signage key to health of Casper Mountain trails

Candidates for Natrona County Parks director may apply through Oct. 9

Wyoming

Breaking News

Cheyenne Police identify suspect in shooting death of two

Cheyenne PD: 2 adults dead, 2 juveniles injured in shooting incident

‘Medical condition’ investigated in fatal crash near Pinedale

Workers in limbo and uninsured as Blackjewel deal languishes

Bike and horse riders to cooperate; signage key to health of Casper Mountain trails

Promoted

Latest News

CDC Responds with Hope: We Hear You

Don’t forget the Donate Life Scavenger Hunt is this weekend – Register today!

Free Foreclosure Counseling in Wyoming

Outpatient Radiology offers area’s most advanced imaging

Dancing With The Stars of Casper announces roster for 2019 ‘Vegas Night’

Galleries

Breaking News

National Guard soldiers deploy to Middle East (Photos)

Casper Naturalization Ceremony: ‘I encourage you to make us a more diverse and skilled country’ (Photos)