Second Street in Downtown Casper is seen decked out for the holidays in 1970. (Chuck Morrison Collection, Casper College Western History Center)

CASPER, Wyo. — Christmastime is a season of nostalgia as many people recall their own magical childhood holiday experiences.

In memory, the food seems better, the toys cooler, and the decorations livelier.

As a holiday gift, we’re republishing our collection of vintage images from Casper’s past, with a few recent additions thrown in.

Thanks again to Vince Crolla and the Casper College Western History Center for their great work of preserving Casper’s rich history.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Oil City News!

Crews install Christmas decorations on Center Street in 1968. At right is the old Elbow Room restaurant in the Hotel Henning, which was demolished a few years after this image was made. (Chuck Morrison Collection, Casper College Western History Center)
  • A photo of a family at 159 South Iowa Ave. singing was featured on the front page of the Sunday edition of the Casper Tribune-Herald and Star on Christmas day in 1960.
  • Christmas party, December 1961. Photo by Chuck Morrison. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • A Christmas card featuring the 114 Club on Second Street near Center. The Bar closed in 1952.
  • Christmas tree at NCHS in 1939. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • (Casper College Western History Center)
  • (Casper College Western History Center)
  • (Casper College Western History Center)
  • (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Christmas at the Sandford Ranch, later the Pathfinder Ranch. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • A Casper home decorated for Christmas, early 1960s. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • (Casper College Western History Center)
  • A Christmas party at the Wyoming Medical Center, late 1950s. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • (Casper College Western History Center)
  • (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Students pose in their classroom, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Santa at a fire station, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Installing Christmas decorations on Second Street in downtown Casper. December 1961, Chuck Morrison photo. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • School nativity play. December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Office Christmas party, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • A light pole lays on Second Street after an auto accident in downtown Casper in December 1961. Chuck Morrison photo. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Decorating the Christmas tree in the lobby of Natrona County High School, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Crews hang Christmas decorations in downtown Casper at the corner of Second and Wolcott. JC Penny’s is at left, now Atrium Plaza. Chuck Morrison photo, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Santa at what appears to be a fire station, December 1961. Chuck Morrison photo. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • A Santa talking to children, likely at the Westridge Shopping Center. December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Christmas parade, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • School Christmas play. Chuck Morrison photo, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Santa and child, possibly at Westridge Shopping Center. Chuck Morrison photo, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Girl in front of tree, December 1963. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Children in their classroom, December 1963. Chuck Morrison photo. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Children posed with “Night Before Christmas” book in classroom, December 1963. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Santa and little girl, December 1963. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • A home with lawn decorations. Chuck Morrison photo, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • A home with lawn decorations. Chuck Morrison photo, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Children in front of family tree. Chuck Morrison photo, December 1961. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Christmas play, December 1961. Photo by Chuck Morrison. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Family on Christmas, December 1961. Photo by Chuck Morrison. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Office Christmas party, early 1960s. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Christmas dolls on a couch, date unknown. (Casper College Western History Center)
  • Undated newspaper clipping. “Christmas Doll: Mrs. Emilie Mosher and doll given to her mother, Etta Butler Demorest. It adorned Casper’s first Christmas tree.” (Casper College Western History Center)
  • A Christmas card showing Casper decked out in the 1920s. (Casper College Western History Center)
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