Natrona County Tribune, 1909

This little piggy went away -- "The Swine Must Go.

"There has been an ordinance in Casper for these many years providing that hogs should not be kept within the town limits, and that ordinance is to be enforced to the letter in the future. Twelve years ago many little children died in Casper from cebro spinal meningitis, and at that time the doctors said the disease no doubt was caused by the filthy condition of the town. ... (B)y the efforts of the town authorities the hogs were removed, the pig pens and the alleys, the streets and the back yards were cleaned up and there has not been an epidemic of sickness in the city since. ... (B)ut several people have built pens on their premises, and are raising pigs, much to the disgust of their neighbors, and complaint has been made to the authorities with the result that the ordinance will be strictly enforced."

Snagged -- "Barbed Fences Must Come Down.

"All the barbed wire fences within the town limits of Casper have been ordered taken down, having been declared a public nuisance and dangerous. Several people have fenced in their vacant lots with barbed wire and when the ladies pass by on the sidewalks their skirts have caught on the barbs and have been torn, and they have otherwise done considerable damage, and it is right they should come down."

Plan for expansion -- "Larger Water Pipe Ordered.

"The block of two-inch water pipe which was this summer laid on south Wolcott street was last week ordered taken up and four-inch cast iron pipe will be put in its place. This change was made because of the new addition, Riverside, which is to be platted next spring, and it is thought that many new houses will be built in that part of town next year after the lots are placed on the market."

Casper Tribune-Herald, 1934

Night clubbing -- "WONDER BAR OPENS ON WEST SECOND TO LARGE CROWD

"(D)oors were opened last night [Sept 22] on the 'Wonder Bar,' heralded as Casper's latest and finest night club, at 114 West Second street in the Yesness building.

"A special orchestra and entertainers held forth during the evening to provide entertainment. ... The club was decorated for the occasion and attracted a large visitation among members of the amusement loving public."

An advertisement Sept. 25 proclaimed:

"CASPER'S LATEST AND FINEST NIGHT CLUB

"'WONDER BAR' ...

"Now Starring That Versatile Person

"JOE MARCUS AND HIS 'WONDER BAR' TRIO

"In a Presentation of Popular Musical Hits

"NO COVER CHARGE

"OPEN 9 A.M. TO 5 A.M.

"MEET YOUR FRIENDS AT THE 'WONDER BAR'"

Puttin' on the ritz -- The Sept. 22 opening of the Wonder Bar competed with the festivities at the America Theater. Yet, "Record attendance ... marked the re-opening of the 'new' America theater, closed since mid-summer for construction of a large stage, installation of an automatic ventilating system, redecorating and other improvements.

"Audiences taxed the theater's capacity for every show and the three performances by the Kansas City Night Hawks, of radio and recording fame, especially imported for the occasion. ...

"The attractive appearance of the lobby, especially arranged by Paul Cody, who does the theater's art work, and the striking stage drapery design by John Marvin, interior decorator, were the source of much admiring comment. ...

"The improvements, new installations and new construction at the America, at a cost of approximately $9,000, are in line with the consistent program of serving the public."

Later that week, the America hosted a talent contest.

"HUNT LAUNCHED FOR NEW PICTURE STARS ...

"... Qualifications will be reasonable resemblance to any Hollywood screen player, or enough talent to appear in a stage revue. ... The contestants will be escorted to the theater ... in a parade and will enter the threater under a battery of Kleig lights. The stage show will present songs and impersations.

"Photographs of the winning contestants will be submitted ... to the casting director of the Fox studios in Hollywood ... for possibilities for screen tests. ...

"No age limit is set as all Casper entertainers and ambitious performers are encouraged to represent types from Baby Spanky to Will Rogers."

Casper Tribune-Herald, 1959

Open season -- "Sign Shooters Cost Taxpayers About $155,000

"Target practice on Wyoming highway signs cost the taxpayers nearly $155,000 last year, the State Highway Commission said. ...

"If the $155,000 spent to replace the bullet-riddled signs had been used to match federal aid for construction of new highways, nearly $2,000,000 worth of roads could have been built. ...

"The department said a small standard red stop sign costs the department nearly $30 to build and install along the highway. Some of the large overhead signs used on the interstate highways initially cost the state as much as $1,000.

"With the start of hunting season, the department urged hunters to find a tin can."

Casper Star-Tribune, 1984

Seen better days -- "Watch where you walk when passing this bar

"Editor:

"If the Casper City Council should see fit to close the Wonder Bar, those of us who work near the intersection of Midwest and Center will not wax nostalgic over the disappearance of the broken glass and vomit that frequently adorn the paths we daily tread.

"W.O. KUHN

"Casper"

"A Look Back in Time" is made possible with the help of Western History Archivist Kevin S. Anderson at the Casper College Western History Center, which is open to the public. Quotation marks surround stories as they appeared in the Casper newspapers 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago, with their original grammar, punctuation and spelling, unless otherwise noted. You can reach Corryne at corrynedrake@gmail.com.