Natrona County, Wyoming
Big Horn Hotel
Bishop House
Bridger Immigrant Road-Waltman Crossing
Casper Army Air Base
Casper Downtown Historic District
Casper Federal Building
Casper Fire Department Station No. 1
Casper Motor Company-Natrona Motor Company
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Depot
Church of Saint Anthony
Consolidated Royalty Building
Dean Morgan Junior High School
DUX Bessemer Bend Bridge
Elks Lodge No. 1353
Fort Caspar
Fort Caspar (Boundary Increase)
Grant Street Grocery and Market
Independence Rock
Martin's Cove
Masonic Temple
Midwest Oil Company Hotel
Natrona County High School
North Casper Clubhouse
Odd Fellows Building
Ohio Oil Company Building
Pathfinder Dam
Pathfinder Dam Historic District
Rialto Theater
Roosevelt School
South Wolcott Street Historic District
Split Rock, Twin Peaks
Stone Ranch Stage Station
Teapot Rock
Townsend Hotel
Tribune Building
Turner-Cottman Building
A Look Back
A Tribute to Hardship
Alcova Reservoir
And On the Horizon...
Battle of Red Buttes
Bridger and Bozeman Trails
Bridger Road Waltman Crossing
Cable Tool Drilling Rig
Casper - Natrona County - State Founding
Casper Army Air Base
Casper: "The Oil Capital of the Rockies"
City of Casper
Civilian Conservation Corps
Devil's Gate
Eadsville
Ella Watson
Ellen L. Watson (Cattle Kate)
Emigrant Gap Historical Site
First Among Many
Following the River
Frederick Richard Fulkerson
Fremont Canyon
Fremont Canyon Power Plant
Geologic Story
Geology
Giving Shape to History
Goose Egg Ranch
Guinard Bridge
Gushers,
Hells Half Acre
Independence Rock
Independence Rock
Indians Of Wyoming
Lure of the West
Mama Sage
Marking Their Progress
Marking Their Progress
Martin's Cove
Martin's Cove
Midwest Veterans Memorial
Military Explorers
Monument Corrections
Mormon Pioneer Trail
Naming a Landmark
Oil Boom Towns
Old Fort Caspar
Old Pioneer Military Cemetery
Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail
Oregon-California Trail
Oregon/California/Mormon Trails
Pathfinder Dam Construction
Pioneer Monument / Fort Casper
Platte Bridge Cemetery
Pony Express
Pronghorns and Sagebrush
Queen City of the West
Railroads
Ranching in Wyoming
Ranching Takes Its Place
Reconstructed Fort Caspar
Red Buttes
Reluctant Farewells
Richard Bridge and Military Complex
Richard's Bridge
Robert Stuart Cabin Site
Salt Creek Oil Field
Salt Creek Oil Field
Salt Creek Oil Field
Scandal!
Science Visits the West
Shape of the Future
Site of Fort Casper
Site of Old Platte Bridge
Society in an Oil Patch
Sun Ranch
The Armory
The Battle at Platte Bridge
The Battle of Red Buttes
The Emigrant Road
The Mormon Ferry
The Mormons
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail
The Ox-Team Monument Expedition
The Pioneer Women
The Pony Express
The Preservation of Independence Rock
The Road to Zion
The Town of Mills
The Upper Crossing
The Mormon Ferry
Tom Sun Ranch
Willow Springs
Witnessing the Past
Wyoming's Oil & Gas
"History Is Not Obvious"
Committed to the Land
In the mid-1800s, the Oregon Trail brought an influx of settlers through the region, and soon, the discovery of gold in the nearby South Pass area sparked the first major wave of non-Indigenous settlement. This led to the establishment of Fort Caspar in 1859, which provided protection for travelers and became a significant trading post.
The discovery of vast oil reserves in the early 20th century had a transformative effect on Natrona County. The region experienced a significant population boom, with workers and investors flocking to the area to capitalize on the oil industry. As a result, Casper, the county seat, grew rapidly and became a vital center for oil production, refining, and distribution.
Throughout the 20th century, Natrona County underwent several transformations and faced various challenges. The county played a crucial role in World War II, hosting the Amoco Oil Refinery, which produced vast amounts of fuel for the war effort. Additionally, it became an essential training ground for US military pilots during this time.
Today, Natrona County is renowned for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and continued ties to the energy industry. The area is home to iconic landmarks such as Casper Mountain, Alcova Reservoir, and the North Platte River, attracting tourists and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. While the energy industry still plays a significant role in the local economy, the county has diversified and now encompasses healthcare, education, and tourism as essential sectors.
Brief timeline of the history of Natrona County, Wyoming:
- 1886 - The first settlers establish a community in what is now Natrona County.
- 1890 - Natrona County is officially organized and becomes a separate county in the state of Wyoming.
- 1892 - Casper, the county seat of Natrona County, is incorporated as a city.
- 1912 - The discovery of oil in the Salt Creek Oil Field leads to a major boom in the county's economy.
- 1927 - The opening of the Midwest Refinery in Natrona County helps further boost the oil industry in the area.
- 1955 - The Interstate Highway System brings improved transportation infrastructure to Natrona County.
- 1972 - The Teapot Dome scandal, one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history, is linked to Natrona County and its oil reserves.
- 1999 - The recognition of Casper Mountain as a recreational area and the development of tourism become important aspects of the county's economy.
- 2010 - Natrona County celebrates its 120th anniversary since its official organization as a county.
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Natrona County, Wyoming.