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==Sports==
==Sports==
[[UFC 6]] took place at the [[Casper Events Center]] in 1995.<br>
[[UFC 6]] took place at the [[Casper Events Center]] in 1995.<br>

Casper hosted the AIFA Championship Bowl III at the Casper Events Center on July 26, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.casperwy.gov/Play/ArtsEntertainment/CasperEventsCenter/tabid/402/Default.aspx | title = Casper Events Center | publisher = City of Casper | accessdate = 2009-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.wyomingcavalry.com/NewsEvents/ | title = Wyoming Cavalry News & Events | publisher = Wyoming Cavalry | accessdate = 2009-07-16}}</ref>
Casper hosted the AIFA Championship Bowl III at the Casper Events Center on July 26, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.casperwy.gov/Play/ArtsEntertainment/CasperEventsCenter/tabid/402/Default.aspx | title = Casper Events Center | publisher = City of Casper | accessdate = 2009-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.wyomingcavalry.com/NewsEvents/ | title = Wyoming Cavalry News & Events | publisher = Wyoming Cavalry | accessdate = 2009-07-16}}</ref>

Since 2001 Casper has been host the [[College National Finials Rodeo]].


*[[Wyoming Cavalry]] a minor league indoor football team in the [[Indoor Football League]].
*[[Wyoming Cavalry]] a minor league indoor football team in the [[Indoor Football League]].

Revision as of 02:39, 14 September 2011

City of Casper, Wyoming
City
Overview of downtown Casper, looking south toward Casper Mountain, with North Platte River in foreground.
Overview of downtown Casper, looking south toward Casper Mountain, with North Platte River in foreground.
Nickname: 
The Oil City
Location in Wyoming
Location in Wyoming
CountryUnited States
StateWyoming
CountyNatrona
Government
 • City ManagerJohn C. Patterson[1]
Area
 • City
28.8 sq mi (75.5 km2)
 • Land28.5 sq mi (73.8 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)
 • Metro
5,376 sq mi sq mi (13,923 km² km2)
Elevation
5,150 ft (1,560 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • City
55,316
 • Density2,073/sq mi (800.5/km2)
 • Metro
75,450
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP codes
82601, 82602, 82604, 82605, 82609, 82615, 82630, 82638, 82646
Area code307
FIPS code56-13150Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1586424Template:GR
Websitewww.casperwy.gov

Casper is the county seat of Natrona County, Wyoming, United States.Template:GR. Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming, according to the 2010 census, with a population of 55,316. Casper is nicknamed "The Oil City" and has a long history of oil boomtown and cowboy culture, dating back to development of the nearby Salt Creek Oil Field.

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. Interstate 25 approaches Casper from the North and East and is the main avenue of transportation to and from the city. The towns immediately adjacent to Casper are Mills, Evansville, Bar Nunn, and Mountain View. Unincorporated areas include Allendale, Dempsey Acres, Red Buttes, Indian Springs, and several others.

History

Fort Caspar Historic Site

The city was established east of the former site of Fort Caspar, which was built during the mid-19th century mass migration of land seekers along the Oregon, California and Mormon trails. .[2] The area was the location of several ferries that offered passage across the North Platte River in the early 1840s. In 1859, Louis Guinard built a bridge and trading post near the original ferry locations.[3]

The government soon posted a military garrison nearby to protect telegraph and mail service. It was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William O. Collins.[2] American Indian attacks increased after the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado in 1864, bringing more troops to the post, which was by now called Platte Bridge Station. In July 1865, Lieutenant Caspar Collins (the son of Colonel Collins) was killed near the post by a group of Indian warriors. Three months later the garrison was renamed Fort Caspar after Lieutenant Collins.[2] In 1867, the troops were ordered to abandon Fort Caspar in favor of Fort Fetterman downstream on the North Platte along the Bozeman Trail.

The town of Casper itself was founded well after the fort had been closed. The city was founded by developers as an anticipated stopping point during the expansion of the Wyoming Central Railway; it was an early commercial rival to Bessemer and Douglas, Wyoming. The lack of a railhead doomed Bessemer in favor of Casper. Douglas, also a railhead, survives to the present day. The presence of a railhead made Casper the starting off point for the "invaders" in the Johnson County War. The special chartered train carrying the men up from Texas stopped at Casper.

Geography and climate

Casper is located at 42°50′5″N 106°19′30″W / 42.83472°N 106.32500°W / 42.83472; -106.32500 (42.834665, -106.325062)Template:GR. It sits at an average elevation of about 5,200 feet (1,600 m) (just slightly lower than Denver).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.3 square miles (62.8 km²), of which, 24.0 square miles (62.0 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (1.32%) is water.

Casper, as with most of the rest of Wyoming, has a semi-arid climate (Koppen climate classification BSk), with long, cold, but dry winters, hot but generally dry summers, mild springs, and short and crisp autumns. Highs range from 32 °F (0 °C) in January to 88 °F (31.1 °C) in July and August. Temperatures typically plummet during summer nights, with an average diurnal temperature range approaching 35 °F (19.4 °C). Snow can fall heavily during the winter months, being the greatest in April, and usually falls in May and October, but rarely September. Precipitation is greatest in spring and early summer, but even then it is not high. Highs reach 90 °F (32.2 °C) on 31 days per year and fail to surpass freezing on 46. Lows drop to 0 °F (−17.8 °C) on 18 nights per winter.

Climate data for Casper, Wyoming
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 60
(16) 		68
(20) 		75
(24) 		84
(29) 		95
(35) 		102
(39) 		104
(40) 		102
(39) 		97
(36) 		87
(31) 		72
(22) 		63
(17) 		104
(40)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 32.3
(0.2) 		37.0
(2.8) 		46.9
(8.3) 		56.1
(13.4) 		66.4
(19.1) 		78.8
(26.0) 		86.8
(30.4) 		85.3
(29.6) 		73.4
(23.0) 		59.5
(15.3) 		42.6
(5.9) 		33.6
(0.9) 		58.2
(14.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 12.2
(−11) 		16.4
(−8.7) 		23.1
(−4.9) 		29.3
(−1.5) 		37.9
(3.3) 		46.6
(8.1) 		53.2
(11.8) 		51.8
(11.0) 		41.7
(5.4) 		31.8
(−0.11) 		21.3
(−5.9) 		14.0
(−10) 		31.6
(−0.22)
Record low °F (°C) −40
(−40) 		−32
(−36) 		−21
(−29) 		−6
(−21) 		16
(−8.9) 		28
(−2.2) 		30
(−1.1) 		33
(1) 		16
(−8.9) 		−3
(−19) 		−21
(−29) 		−41
(−41) 		−41
(−41)
Average precipitation inches (mm) .58
(15) 		.64
(16) 		.90
(23) 		1.52
(39) 		2.38
(60) 		1.43
(36) 		1.29
(33) 		.73
(19) 		.98
(25) 		1.14
(29) 		.82
(21) 		.62
(16) 		13.03
(331)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 7.6 7.5 9.4 10.4 11.4 8.9 8.1 6.0 6.8 7.3 7.2 7.7 98.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 8.0 7.4 8.7 7.1 2.0 0 0 0 .9 3.8 6.9 8.2 53.0
Source 1: [4]
Source 2: NOAA (normals, 1971-2000) [5]
The waterfall at Casper's Rotary Park, at the base of Casper Mountain.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188040—
18905441,260.0%
190088362.3%
19102,639198.9%
192011,447333.8%
193016,61945.2%
194017,9648.1%
195023,67331.8%
196038,93064.4%
197039,3611.1%
198051,01629.6%
199046,742−8.4%
200049,6446.2%
201055,31611.4%
source:[6][7][8]

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 49,644 people, 20,343 households, and 13,141 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,073.2 people per square mile (800.3/km²). There were 21,872 housing units at an average density of 913.4 per square mile (352.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.03% White, 0.86% Black, 1.00% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.04% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. 5.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,343 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,567, and the median income for a family was $46,267. Males had a median income of $34,905 versus $21,810 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,409. About 8.5% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Although relatively small by national standards, Casper is a regional center of banking and commerce.

Sinclair's Casper refinery in nearby Evansville, Wyoming.

Since the discovery of crude oil in the region during the 1890s, Casper became the regional petroleum industry center. Oil has figured prominently in its history from nearly the onset. Oil was first discovered in the famous Salt Creek Oil Field in 1889, approximately 40 miles (64 km) north of Casper; the first refinery in Casper was built in 1895. The city has featured a refinery ever since, although various refineries have been built and closed over the years. As recently as the early 1980s, the city was near or home to three refineries. The surviving one, operated by Sinclair Oil Corporation, is located nearby in Evansville, Wyoming. Development of Wyoming coal and uranium fields in recent decades has helped Casper continue its role as a center in the energy industry.

Education

Casper is home to Casper College, a community college that offers bachelors degrees in sixteen areas of study from the University of Wyoming through their UW/CC Center.[9]

Public education in the city of Casper is provided by Natrona County School District #1. The district operates sixteen elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools in Casper. The high schools include Kelly Walsh, Natrona, and Roosevelt High Schools, There is also a program being added to Natrona County School District called CAPS, it will serve as more space and classrooms for juniors and seniors at any of the 3 Highschools.

Media

Casper and the rest of Wyoming are served by the Casper Star-Tribune, a newspaper with statewide circulation; the Casper Journal is a community newspaper published weekly.

Sports

UFC 6 took place at the Casper Events Center in 1995.

Casper hosted the AIFA Championship Bowl III at the Casper Events Center on July 26, 2009.[10][11]

Since 2001 Casper has been host the College National Finials Rodeo.

Culture

Museums and historical sites

Casper is home to a number of museums and historical sites:

Performing arts and music

The Casper Troopers, part of Drum Corps International.

Casper has three locations offering theatre: The Gertrude Krampert Theatre at Casper College, Stage III Community Theatre, and the Casper Events Center[17] where an annual series of touring Broadway shows, Broadway in Casper, can be seen.

Casper is home to the Troopers,[18] a drum and bugle corps in Drum Corps International, and the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra.[19] During the summer months, Casper's City Band performs free concerts Thursday evenings at Washington Park, weather permitting.[17]

Transportation

Highways

Interstate Highways:

I-25

US Routes:

US 20

  • East-West route through Casper that runs concurrent with I-25 through Casper. At exit 189 the highway continues west out of Casper, and no longer runs concurrent with the interstate.
  • The Business Route of US 20 follows N. Beverly St. and Yellowstone Hwy. going East-West from I-25/US 87 (Exit 186) to U.S. 20-26 west of Casper in Mills.

US 26

  • East-West route through Casper that runs concurrent with I-25 through Casper. At exit 189 the highway continues west out of Casper, and no longer runs concurrent with the interstate.
  • The Business Route of US 26 follows N. McKinley St. and Yellowstone Hwy. going East-West from I-25/US 87 (Exit 187) to U.S. 20-26 west of Casper in Mills.

US 87

  • North-South through Casper that runs concurrent with I-25 through Casper.

Wyoming State Highways:

WYO 220 (N. Poplar St., CY Avenue)

  • East-West route from I-25/US 87 (Exit 188B) west out of Casper towards Alcova.

WYO 251 (Wolcott St., Casper Mountain Rd.)

  • North-South route that continues south out of Casper and up Casper Mountain, eventually ending at WYO 487.

WYO 252 (S. Poplar St.)

  • North-South route from the intersection of Poplar Street and CY avenue to Casper Mountain Road.

WYO 254 (Salt Creek Hwy.)

  • North-South route from I-25/US 87 south to US 20-26 (Yellowstone Hwy.) in Mills.

WYO 255 (Center St., 9th St., CY Avenue)

  • North-South route from I-25 exit 188A to the intersection of S. Poplar and CY Avenue, where CY Avenue continues as WY 220.

WYO 258 (Wyoming Blvd.)

  • East-West loop route from I-25/US 87 to US 20-26 west of Casper in Mills; the majority of the highway runs along the southern borders of Casper.

Airports

The city has scheduled air service at Casper/Natrona County International Airport, a former army air base built during World War II. The current airport, having been built for bombers, has large runways and replaced a prior regional airport north of Casper which later became Bar Nunn. The airport is located west of the city just off of US highway 20/26. In July 2004, the airport facilities were renovated.[20] Passenger service at the airport is offered by United Express (SkyWest Airlines), Delta Connection (SkyWest Airlines), and Allegiant Airlines.

Public transit

Public transit in the Casper area is provided by the Casper Area Transportation Coalition.[21] They offer fixed route service called The Bus and an on request service called CATC.

Scheduled bus service

Scheduled bus service once offered by Power River Bus Lines is now offered by Black Hills Stage Lines.[22]

Notable natives and residents

References

  1. ^ "Casper City Manager". City of Casper.
  2. ^ a b c Fifer, Barbera. Wyoming's Historic Forts. Farcountry Press. pp. 59–68.
  3. ^ "Platte River Fords". Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office.
  4. ^ "Average Weather for Casper, WY — Temperature and Precipitation". Weather.com. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  5. ^ "Climatography of the United States NO.81" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  6. ^ "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of State / U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  7. ^ Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 338.
  8. ^ "Subcounty population estimates: Wyoming 2000-2007" (CSV). United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  9. ^ "UW: Bachelors Degree and Certificate Programs". University of Wyoming. Retrieved 2009-07-15. [dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Casper Events Center". City of Casper. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  11. ^ "Wyoming Cavalry News & Events". Wyoming Cavalry. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  12. ^ "Fort Caspar Museum". City of Casper. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  13. ^ "Trails Center". U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  14. ^ "Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center". Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  15. ^ "Casper College". Casper College. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  16. ^ "Werner Wildlife Museum Review: Casper Best Attractions and Activities Reviews by 10Best". 10Best Inc. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  17. ^ a b "Arts and Culture". Casper Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  18. ^ "Troopers — The Original 'America's Corps'". Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  19. ^ "Tickets". Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  20. ^ "Airport renovations to start in July". Casper Star-Tribune. 2004-06-24. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  21. ^ "CATC — Casper Area Transportation Coalition". Casper Area Transportation Coalition, Inc. Retrieved 2009-08-18. [dead link‍]
  22. ^ "Black Hills Stage LInes". Black Hills Stae Lines. Retrieved 2010-02-187. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
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