Casper, Wyoming
A Brief History

The history of Casper is as colorful and varied as the spectacular and stark landscape it inhabits. Casper is a rail, processing, distributing and trade center for both the state and the region. The second largest city, although some will argue that it has surpassed Cheyenne in size, is located almost in the center of the 9th largest state. It is a city based on farming and ranching strongly supported by a mineral - rich base of oil and coal. Natrona County, originally from what is now Carbon County, was incorporated in 1890. It's name, perhaps a typographical error by a city clerk many years ago, is believed to have been named after 1st Lt. Caspar Collins. Collins died protecting a supply wagon train from hostile Indians in the late 1880's.

Historical occupation of this part of the west can be traced back to some 12,000 years ago. Later groups were the earliest of the big game hunters of the Early Period. After them came the predecessors of the earliest known Indian tribes. These nomadic people evolved and became known as the Plains Indians and their territory covered many hundreds of the area now known as Wyoming.

The earliest of the western explorers came and brought with them their European influence, including a need for fur. Trappers, traders, soldiers and explorers came through, opening up the region eventually for the earliest pioneer settlers. This was a hard life for the settlers made harder by the long, hard Wyoming winters. One important name in Casper's history is Robert Stuart. This explorer is credited with setting up the first white settlement in the area. Conflicts with the local Indians forced him to move south - east towards Torrington along the banks of the North Platte River. Here he built a shelter. Out of his frequent movement between Torrington and South Pass came the beginnings of the Oregon Trail.

Historic trails that crisscross the landscape include the Oregon Trail, the Bridger Trail and the Mormon Trail, well-worn trails used some 150 years ago. Two areas of significance in Caper's history still visible are the Old Ft Caspar military post and Independence Rock. The old fort is a series of reconstructed buildings located on the original site Platte Bridge Station, one of the last points that pioneers could cross the Platte River on their trail westward following the historic Oregon Trail. Visitors can tour this site while learning from the living history exhibits. Independence Rock, 50 miles southwest of Casper was a familiar and welcome landmark for the weary, westward pioneers. Thousands of travelers carve their names on the rock creating a very large message board for those coming later. " The great registry of the desert " was what Father Peter DeSmet, a Jesuit priest, was moved to call it.

Casper, a true capital of Cowboy country, luckily has survived good times and bad, oil booms and busts, prosperous farming years and terrible blizzards. It still manages to not only survive but also grow and remain the very heart of one great state.