Wyoming's second-largest city, in the center of the state, was made rich by the stores of natural resources that still pump the economy there. Before oil and gas were discovered, pioneers crossed paths at Casper via the Oregon, Pony Express, California and Mormon Pioneer trails through the territory's desert and over its mountains. Casper was named for nearby Fort Caspar, but it's said a shipping clerk misspelled the name on an order. The fort that was built to protect the telegraph office was first called the Platte Bridge Station but was renamed for Caspar Collins, an Army lieutenant who lost his life in 1865 when Native Americans attacked the station. The town museum offers natural-history exhibits and living-history festivals. History comes alive at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, opened by the Bureau of Land Management in August 2002. The museum tells the pioneers' hardships and offers guided tours of the trails. Candlelight walking tours of Casper's downtown are offered by Painted Past Enterprises. Actors dressed in period clothing illustrate a history riddled with bullets, oil booms and busts. As part of a reclamation project, the city opened Parkway White Water Park. The course sets the stage for a kayak rodeo in July, but rafting and fishing also are welcome on this section of the North Platte River. The College National Finals Rodeo, hosted at the Casper Events Center, attracts many spectators each June. Campers find much to do at nearby Casper Mountain.
The Mormon Handcart Visitors Center, 60 mi/20 km southwest of Casper, tells the story of the 1856 passage of pioneers seeking religious freedom. Visitors can walk or pull a handcart through Martin's Cove, named for the company that lost followers to starvation as they waited four days for rescuers to arrive from Salt Lake City. Martin's Cove is owned by the Church of Latter-day Saints. Casper is 180 mi/290 km north of Cheyenne.
