A historic building in downtown Casper is becoming a center for community activities with an array of event support businesses located on-site.

The second floor of the Odd Fellow Building at 136 South Wolcott will contain a large banquet hall, a theater and a reception room.

Complementary businesses on the first floor will support events held on the second floor. These are a flower shop, wedding designers, a beauty salon, a photography studio, a jewelry store and an upscale consignment shop. A food service area also is envisioned.

"We're hoping to create a destination point for downtown," project manager Heather Rupp said. The building is owned by Charles Walsh.

Renovation work on the second floor began last summer. The building will be renamed the "Wolcott Galleria."

Linda Marvel of Marvel Floral Art found the concept of businesses working together appealing. Her business is slated to open on Tuesday.

"I think it will be a really good collaboration, and I think Casper needs that," she said.

The Odd Fellow Building was opened in 1952. A special section of the Casper Star newspaper said there were about 2,000 Odd Fellows and Rebekahs at the time.

From the start, space on the ground floor was rented to businesses. A jewelry store, a barbershop and a gift store were among the first.

Rupp said while commerce at the building continued over the years, use of the second floor facilities at the heart of Odd Fellows activities ceased.

Until now. The banquet hall is ready for public use. The reception room is expected to be completed April 1 and the theater by June 1.

The theater includes a balcony and three generations of theater seats, the oldest dating back 120 years. The stage curtain bears a "chain with three links" symbol of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, representing friendship, love and truth.

Rupp said the theater could host a variety of concerts and productions. The Wyoming Symphony Orchestra has already expressed interest.

The banquet room, with a beautiful parquet floor, can seat 250 people. Rupp said the reception room could be used for smaller business gatherings or even art shows.

The Odd Fellow Building is being considered for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. It is regarded as an important symbol of Casper's post-World War II building boom, which saw the city transformed into a major commercial center.

The building is representative of a mid-20th century design - a kind of modest modernity - seen in small Western cities. When constructed, the Odd Fellow Building was recognized as one of the most fire-proof and modern-looking buildings in town.

Business Editor Tom Mast can be reached at tom.mast@trib.com, or call 307-266-0574.

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Wolcott Galleria businesses

Marvel Floral Art

How Marvelous! Photography

Wedding Designers and Paisley Creek Boutique

Nora Fagan Jewelry

Prodigy Salon

Two Tymers