Hey, Answer Girl —
What is the history behind the tall building on the corner of
First and Center streets? I heard there used to be a revolving
restaurant on the top floor.
— Josh
The building at 100 North Center is a tall, tan building with
what look like floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor. There is
a staircase going up the side, that I assume is, or was a fire
escape, but it looks pretty cool.
The building was built as an annex to the original Gladstone
Hotel built in 1922 and torn down in 1970.
According to an article in the October 17, 1954, Casper
Star-Tribune, the annex opened in 1954 and had a restaurant on the
top floor called the Sky Room. The restaurant was complete with a
dance floor; however, there is no mention that the room ever
revolved.
The hotel was labeled the tallest in the state in 1954 and the
penthouse restaurant was most likely the first in the state. The
annex also included a lounge on the ground floor called the Peacock
Lounge and 40 guest bedrooms.
The building now houses Mountain View Sub Shop, as well as some
offices, and there is a sign on the side advertising space for
rent.
Hey, Answer Girl —
When and where was the Wigwam Bakery in Casper?
— Chuck
The Wigwam is listed in the 1917-1918 City Directory at 131 E.
Second St. It is not listed in the 1913 City Directory, so it most
likely opened between 1913 and 1917. The owner listed in 1917 was
J.A. Ferguson — president and proprietor.
The last listing of the Wigwam Bakery is in the 1959 Casper City
Directory. Therefore it must have closed between 1959 and 1960. The
address then was listed as 241 S. Durbin.
It was housed in the lobby of the OS Building in the early 1920s
and then at 327 W. Yellowstone after 1922.
A huge thanks to Teri Hedgpeth at the Casper College Western
History Center for finding the answers to these questions. There is
no way I could have answered them without her!
Answer Girl tackles questions about Casper, the universe and
everything else. Submit your questions by e-mail to
autumn.reed@trib.com or call Autumn Reed at (307) 266-0557. Write
to Answer Girl, P.O. Box 80, Casper, WY 82602.