Casper, Wyoming

Founded In: 1859

Population: 55,316

Elevation:  5,200 ft.

Median Income: $48,607

Chamber of Commerce: http://www.casperwyoming.org/

According to the most recent census, Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming, just after Cheyenne. It’s nickname, “The Oil City” is derived from its history of being an oil boomtown with the development of the Salt Creek Oil Field in 1889.

The city, established in 1859, was built where Fort Casper once stood. The area offered ferries across the North Platter River and the fort was built to protect the telegraph and mail service. The town sprung up due to an expansion of the Wyoming Central Railway.

Casper is located in east-central Wyoming at the foot of Casper Mountain, the north end of the Laramie Mountain Range, along the North Platte River.

 

Climate

Casper sits at an elevation of 5200 feet and encompasses 27.24 square miles. Like the rest of Wyoming, Casper is semi-arid with long, cold winters and hot, dry summers. Though relatively dry, snow does fall in the winter months and is most prevalent during the month of April. It is not uncommon to see snow in May.

 

Economy

Crude oil was discovered in the are in the 1890’s, causing Casper to become a regional oil industry center. The first refinery was built in Capser in 1895 and has had refineries ever since. The most current refinery is operated by Sinclair Oil Corporation. In addition to oil, Casper has developed both coal and uranium fields, keeping with its energy industry roots.

 

Must See Activities

The Casper Events Center (www.caspereventscenter.com) is the largest indoor venue in the state. Seating up to 10,000 people, this center brings in national artists and concerts. Casper is proud to host the College National Finals Rodeo (http://cnfr.com/) in June, concerts, off Broadway plays, and many other family entertainment at the Events Center.

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (http://nhtcf.org/) let’s you explore exhibits of the pioneer days on the Oregon, California, Mormon and Pony Express Trails. You’ll learn about legendary names related to Western history and learn about the drama that hundreds of thousands of pioneers experienced between 1841 and 1868.

Fort Caspar (http://www.fortcasparwyoming.com/) is a reconstructed 1865 military post located at a major river crossing on the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California, Pony Express, and transcontinental telegraph trail corridor. Take a tour and also explore the historical museum, featuring exhibits on prehistoric peoples, Plains Indians, ranching, the energy industry, and the City of Casper as well as the western emigrant trails and frontier army.

Hogadon Ski Area (http://www.hogadon.net/) is located 11 miles south on Casper Mountain and only twenty minutes away from downtown Casper. Hogadon offers something for skiers and snowboarders at every level including a terrain park for more adventurous riders. It offers 14 trails and over 600 feet of vertical drop.

Casper is also a wonderful place for indoor and outdoor sports. The Three Crowns golf course (http://www.threecrownsgolfclub.com/) is a new 18-hole championship course, which is a terrific addition to Casper’s existing three golf courses. Casper also has spectator sports including the Wyoming Cavalry National Indoor Football League (http://www.wyomingcavalry.com/). Outdoor recreation on the North Platte River offers fishing, rafting, and kayaking. Several lakes are just a short distance away for boating, swimming, fishing, and camping.

Casper has over 20 museums including the Salt Creek Oil Field Museum, the Tate Museum discussing geological history,  the Nicolaysen Art Museum, and the Casper Planetarium.

 

Shopping

Whether you are looking for a unique Western gift, something that screams Casper, or are hoping to shop at national chains, Casper has exactly what you are looking for.

 

Dining

 Casper has dining experiences that are distinctive to the area. The offer a wide variety of ethnic restaurants as well as quaint sandwich shops and coffee bars. No matter what you have a hankering for, Casper’s selections will make your mouth water.

 

  • Lime Leaf Restaurant (http://limeleafwy.com): Specializing in Chinese cuisine
  • Eggington’s (http:/www.eggingtons.com/): Delightful breakfast, brunch, and lunch menu featuring fresh eggs.
  • Sherrie’s Place: Traditional American foods for breakfast and lunch.
  • Cottage Cafe (http://www.cottagecafecasper.com/): Offering sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads for lunch.
  • Poor Boys Steakhouse (http://poorboyssteakhouse.com/): Voted best steak and steakhouse in Casper, also serves fried chicken and pork ribs.
  • Johnny J’s Diner (http://www.johnnyjs.com/): Authentic 50’s diner with a soda fountain counter and retro décor, offering everything from burgers to chicken fried steak.
  • Pho Saigon: Vietnamese Noodle Restaurant
  • Guadalajara (http://www.guadalajaramexrest.com/): Authentic Mexican food to tempt your taste buds
  • Bosco’s Italian Restaurant: Features build-your-own pasta dishes as well as classic Italian plates.

 

Living

If you are looking for a place to raise a family, then Casper might be just right for you. In 2010, Casper was named the highest-ranked family-friendly small city in the West, and ranked eighth overall in the nation in Forbes magazine’s list of “the best small cities to raise a family”. Why? The city has 42 parks,

a large recreation center, an ice arena, and an indoor aquatics center. The city also offers nine family sports leagues featuring 500 teams. Add to that the four golf courses, the many museums, the Central Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, and the community college, and you can see why Casper is a great spot to land.


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