Reflections of Casper
Then & Now
An artistic interpretation from past to present by Suzette McIntyre
The canvases in this exhibit are Suzette’s artistic interpretation of Casper today. This exhibit embraces the milestones, landmarks and heritage that have brought Casper from its colorful past to this remarkable point in time.
Milestones
There are five major milestones in Casper’s evolution of a city, the Native American transition, Fort Caspar and the Guinard Bridge, the railroad, sheep ranching, and oil.
Tepee at Sunset
This piece is in honor of the Native Americans who had lived in the areas where Casper now sits. Slowly the tribes began settling into specified reservations as pioneers migrated from the east.
The sun setting through this isolated skeleton of a tepee becomes almost symbolic of a fading away of the Native American Culture.
The Guinard Bridge
This image is a tribute to Casper’s beginning.
In the mid 1800’s, Louis Guinard built a 1000-foot log bridge over the North Platte River for settlers to cross as they migrated from the east. This bridge became a popular post for pioneers to stop on their journey west and was later to be named Fort Caspar.
The Bridge and The Fort have been reconstructed so we can continue to celebrate their legacy in west Casper.
BSNF
In recognition of the railroad that was to change the course of history.
When the tracks of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad arrived in June 1888, the brutal westward journey on foot drew to an end and halted organized migration.
With the introduction of the Union Pacific, Easterners began arriving in droves and brought a new network of people and economy to this area to spur growth.
Casper flourished and was incorporated in May 1889.
Sheep Ranching
Applauding Wyoming Ranchers.
In Casper’s first two decades of the late 1800’s most of its wealth came primarily from sheep and cattle ranching. Ranchers used their affluence to help Casper grow and flourish.
Little has changed in the sheep industry since the 1800s. Trucks and 4 wheelers sometimes replace sheep wagons and horses, but aside from that, it continues to be a rough and rugged business.
From the raging blizzards of winter through to the scorching days of summer, flocks need daily attention, and we salute Wyoming ranchers for their fierce dedication.
CASPER’S EBB & FLOW
A Skyline Shrine to Casper’s lifeblood.
The first drilling in Natrona County was recorded in 1888, about 3 miles northwest of Casper. Since that time, through all the highs and the lows,
Casper came to be known as the ‘Oil Capital of the Rockies’.
Refinery payrolls have made a big difference in Wyoming, and Casper remains
a hub for oilfield services.
Landmarks
Some of Casper’s history is seen clearly through the iconic structures still standing today.
The Rialto
The colorful and artistic corner of 2nd & Center has been known as the center of town since Casper was incorporated in 1889. Beginning as the Webel Store in the late 1800’s, this Iconic building has withstood many changes throughout its history: from a busy Mercantile, to a popular theater & cigar shop, and now a soda fountain and the famous Rialto Theater.
The Icons of Casper
It would be impossible to gather all of Casper’s most iconic buildings in one place, but their memories need to be preserved as the town quickly changes and transforms with the times.
In this piece, I took the artistic liberty of gathering some of the most celebrated downtown buildings and grouped them into a composite, to commemorate their existence. Look closely and you may recognize many of them. Some of the buildings in this piece date back to the 20’s.
Center Street in the Rain
Driving home one evening, I took a detour through downtown.
Lights refracted through the drizzle, and then echoed onto rainy streets.
As wet as it was, I felt the need to stop and shoot a few images of this brilliant, almost abstract scene of Center Street.
This is another night scene of Center Street from the early 1900’s.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Casper’s first and oldest church once stood on the corner of 2nd & Wolcott. In 1952 it was moved from the downtown location to the fairgrounds in West Casper and restored. The church is now the Pioneer Museum.
Natrona County High School
Built in 1921, Natrona County High School is one of the most spectacular
buildings in this area with its extraordinary architecture and history.
For 44 years N.C. was Casper’s only High School, until Kelly Walsh was built in 1965 to accommodate the growing town.
Casper’s first high school was razed when NCHS was built.
The Goose Egg Inn
The Goose Egg Inn has been part of Casper for over 75 years. The original Goose Egg Inn was built in the early 1930s, but it caught fire shortly after completion and burned to the ground.
In 1936 the restaurant was reconstructed directly across the road in the location where the now-closed Goose Egg building still sits.
Although the Restaurant is no longer in business, The Goose Egg Inn has become one of Casper’s History legends, known for its fried chicken and mouth-watering steaks
The Tumble Inn
Located just a few miles outside Casper, the Tumble Inn stands isolated and vacant on the highway now, but its history is colorful and mysterious.
It became a popular hangout for Casperites and travelers along 20/26.
Built in 1938, it was the only ‘watering hole’ and restaurant between Casper and Shoshoni for many years.
The restaurant was fitted with this historic neon cowboy in the early 1950s,
and grew to become an iconic figure on this lonely highway. So far, the ‘Café Cowboy’ is still standing tall, teasing travelers about Sizzlin’ Steaks, even though the restaurant hasn’t been open since 2005.
Heritage
The natural beauty surrounding Casper was here even before the town was incorporated. These gifts have always been, and will always be a part of Casper.
Casper Mountain
The mountain has always towered over Casper with all its beauty, but the road that winds to the top of the mountain didn’t exist until 1919. The road opened an abundance of recreational opportunities that continue to expand as Casper flourishes.
Skiing, snowshoeing, hang-gliding, hiking, hunting, camping, wildlife, birdwatching, and festivals are just a few of the riches this natural wonder has to offer.
View of Casper
When I saw this postcard, I was inspired by the design and drove up Casper Mountain to duplicate it from today’s perspective.
The town is wider, the road is now paved, but the spectacular panoramic view remains the same.
The Platte River
In the mid-1800s, the Platte River was untamed. The width of the river could expand to over 1000 feet during spring runoff, making it almost impossible for immigrants to cross.
Thanks to the construction of Pathfinder and Alcova dams, they produced an ability to control the Platte, creating miles of paradise to explore.
The evening I shot this image, the sun was setting with intense color. Rays danced on the rapids, creating an enchanting abstract.
Where the Antelope Play
Living in Wyoming, where antelope are as abundant as the air we breathe,
it’s easy to overlook their beauty.
It wasn’t until I moved away from this vast openness that I began to appreciate the splendor of these incredible animals of the Wyoming Plains.
From the beginning antelope have been a constant, unchanging force in the landscape surrounding Casper.
Wide Open Plains
The infinite rolling plains of Wyoming have always been a treasured asset to its Heritage, and the more populations grow in other states, the more we can celebrate the beauty of this vast nothingness, realizing what a gift these expansive open spaces are to all who live here.
About the Artist
Suzette McIntyre is a nationally acclaimed professional photographer and writer.
She grew up in Casper, attending Casper schools, and graduated from KWHS. She also attended Casper College, earning both AA & AFA degrees and was a member of the World Champion Casper Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps.
She owned a furniture business in Casper, and was a community leader, active with United Way, The Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development and Beautification.
Before moving to Ohio to launch her photography business, Suzette began her profession as a photographer while studying at Casper College, and owes a large part of her success as an author and award-winning photographer to the guidance and encouragement of the Fine Art Department at CC.
Suzette now lives in Windsor, Colorado, with her husband, Jim. Her canvases and photography, inspired by her love of the western wilderness, can be seen in galleries throughout Colorado and Wyoming.
She has also authored a series of coffee table books that feature many photos of Wyoming including ‘Reflections of Casper’, ‘The Art of Being Alive’, ‘Beauty Surrounds Us‘, ‘The Paths We Take’, and ‘Reflection‘.
This exhibit, ‘REFLECTIONS OF CASPER’ is available as a coffee table book, as well as canvases and prints by visiting her website: https://photographybysuzette.com/
