Backstory

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

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

06/22/20 6:47 PM

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

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: Wyoming-born J.C. Penney thrived for decades in Casper (Photos)

CASPER, Wyo. – A little store started in Kemmerer, Wyoming, grew up to be one of the biggest retailers in the country. Now, along with so many legacy retailers, its... Read more »

05/25/20 7:32 AM

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: 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

Hidden Casper: Long-lost Chevy relics appear during Nolan renovation

CASPER, Wyo. – Relics from automotive’s early days are being unearthed as crews strip decades of additions and construction away from an old car dealership and furniture store. Now known... Read more »

01/29/20 3:19 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: Casper wasn’t fooled by 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast

It has become synonymous with “mass hysteria.” Orson Welles’ infamous War of the Worlds radio broadcast celebrates its 81st anniversary this year. On October 30th, 1938, the modernized and Americanized... Read more »

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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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

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: Recently discovered photos show popular Gemini Restaurant

Vince Crolla, chief curator at the Western History Center at Casper College, was recently examining a box of black & white negatives when he came across an interesting image. The... Read more »

10/12/18 10:43 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 photograph of Caspar Collins that is not Caspar Collins

Caspar Collins was called a hero when he died in 1865. He has a Wyoming town named after him, and a heroic bronze statue greets visitors to the Casper Events... Read more »

07/20/18 3:19 PM

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: From Grand to Gone – The Life and Death of the Grand Central Hotel

Casper’s downtown was nothing to look at in its early days. Drafty wood buildings sprung up at breakneck speed on the boomtown’s dusty, muddy makeshift roads. That started to change... Read more »

04/12/18 11:28 AM

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: The Rise And Fall Of The Gladstone (PHOTOS and Story)

A four-page ad supplement to the Sunday, Oct. 17, 1954 edition of the Casper Tribune-Herald & Star promised an exciting new era for downtown entertainment. “The New Sky Room offers... Read more »

01/10/18 2:50 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

Older Posts

Backstory

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

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

Backstory: Parades of Casper’s Past (Photos)

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: Wyoming-born J.C. Penney thrived for decades in Casper (Photos)

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

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

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

Hidden Casper: Long-lost Chevy relics appear during Nolan renovation

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

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

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

Siblings unite after nearly 30 years of searching

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

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: Vintage Casper Christmas (PHOTOS)

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: Recently discovered photos show popular Gemini Restaurant

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 photograph of Caspar Collins that is not Caspar Collins

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: From Grand to Gone – The Life and Death of the Grand Central Hotel

BACKSTORY- A Lost Casper Lunch Counter

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

BACKSTORY-The Sullivan Mansion Still Impresses

BACKSTORY: The Rise And Fall Of The Gladstone (PHOTOS and Story)

Backstory: Shop Casper…in 1957!

BACKSTORY: Ghosts of Christmas Past (PHOTOS)

Crime

Animals

Rawlins Police: Man arrested after dog is left in hot vehicle

Oil City Police Calls (8/12/20 – 8/13/20)

Recent Arrests (8/12/20 – 8/13/20)

Cheyenne Police Department seek information on Burglary suspects

Man faces Burglary charge after shopping with allegedly stolen card

Obituaries

Latest News

Obituaries: Hutchison III, Portz, James, Lichliter

Obituaries: Jaramillo, Shultz, Allison

Obituaries: Wray-Ross, Stowe,

Obituaries: Hackley, Guenther, Dodge, Bay, Jr.

Obituaries: Darnall, Loftin, Grant

Community

Community

Wyoming K9 teams place 1st, 3rd in regional U.S. Police Canine Association event

WMC says $157 million sale of hospital assets to Banner Health will benefit residents

WDH adds 27 new lab-confirmed COVID cases, 1 death on Thursday

Death of Big Horn County man attributed to COVID-19

Rawlins Police: Man arrested after dog is left in hot vehicle

Wyoming

Latest News

1,000+ acre wildfire forces closure of US 20/26 between Casper and Moneta

PHOTOS: Wildfire ‘moving fast’ west of Casper; at over 1,000 acres

Wyoming’s Cynthia Lummis announces endorsement by President Trump

Death of Big Horn County man attributed to COVID-19

Rawlins Police: Man arrested after dog is left in hot vehicle

Promoted

Events

Here is your entertainment line-up for the Wyoming State Fair

Toy Town’s annual Lego competition taking place this week

Applications for COVID-19 Business Relief funding opened on August 4

History Repeats Itself: The Story of Steve Emery

Nonprofit agency looking for a program manager

Galleries

Galleries

Photo Gallery: COVID-era puts new spin on YMCA spin class

PHOTOS: Comet NEOWISE fading but still fascinating in view from Muddy Mountain