The Shocking Origin of Casper’s Name | You won’t believe this! Casper, Wyoming has a name with a story rooted in courage, history, and one unforgettable mistake. In this video, I break down the real events behind how Casper got its name—from Lt. Caspar Collins’ bravery during the 1865 battle near Platte Bridge Station, to the abandoned fort that became Fort Caspar, and the simple spelling error that shaped our city forever. This history isn’t just something from the past. It explains why Casper is the community it is today—resilient, welcoming, and grounded in Wyoming’s frontier spirit. Whether you’re a long-time local or thinking about moving here, understanding this story gives you a deeper connection to the place so many of us are proud to call home.
Why Is Casper Called Casper? The Wyoming History You Never Knew
If you’ve ever wondered why Casper, Wyoming is called Casper — you’re not alone.
And honestly, the real story?
It’s braver, sadder, and a little more accidental than most people realize.
Today, we’re going to uncover the Wyoming history you never knew — how a spelling mistake, a young soldier’s courage, and a frontier town’s persistence all came together to create the Casper we know today.
If you’re new here, I’m Alisha Collins with the Alisha Collins Real Estate Team.
I’ve lived in Wyoming almost my entire life, and Casper isn’t just where I work — it’s my home. My team helps between 250 and 300 families buy or sell homes every year right here in Natrona County.
But one thing that always amazes me is how few people — even locals — really know the story behind our city’s name.
So let’s dig in.
Because understanding why Casper is called Casper tells you a lot about who we are as a community — and why people who move here tend to stay.
THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME
Before there was a city, before there were oil rigs, ranches, or neighborhoods — there was an outpost on the wild Wyoming frontier.
In the 1860s, this land was part of the Oregon Trail — a crossroads for settlers, traders, and Native tribes. It was both a gateway and a danger zone.
The U.S. Army built a series of small forts along the North Platte River to protect wagon trains and telegraph lines. One of those was Platte Bridge Station — located just a few miles from where modern-day Casper stands.
In 1865, a young 20-year-old Army officer named Lieutenant Caspar Collins was stationed nearby at Fort Laramie.
He was known as brave, kind, and fiercely loyal to his men.
On July 26, 1865, Native American warriors — mainly Cheyenne and Lakota Sioux — launched an attack near Platte Bridge Station. They were defending their lands and pushing back against U.S. military expansion through their territory.
Lt. Collins volunteered to lead a rescue mission to protect a group of soldiers under attack — even though he was outnumbered and knew it could cost him his life.
He and his men rode straight into the ambush.
Lt. Collins was shot and killed that day- at just 20 years old.
His courage, however, left an impression on everyone who heard the story. Even though he lost his life, his bravery symbolized the fierce spirit of the Wyoming frontier — the kind of grit, loyalty, and courage that still defines people here today.
A year later, the Army built a new fort nearby and named it Fort Caspar, in his honor — with his name spelled correctly, with an A.
THE SPELLING MISTAKE THAT STUCK
So if the fort was named Fort Caspar — why do we spell the city name Casper with an E?
That, my friends, comes down to one of the most famous typos in Wyoming history.
When the fort was later abandoned in the late 1860s, a small settlement began to grow around it. This was the start of what would eventually become Casper — a hub for railroads, ranching, and eventually the booming oil industry.
As the town grew, paperwork had to be filed to make it official. Somewhere in that process — whether by a clerk, a mapmaker, or a postal worker — someone wrote “Casper” instead of “Caspar.”
Just one letter off.
And absolutely no one corrected it.
By the time anyone noticed, it was too late — the maps, the signs, and the official documents had already gone out.
Instead of fighting the error, the townspeople embraced it.
Casper — with an E — became official.
It’s one of those small, funny details that tell a bigger story — the kind of thing that could only happen in the rough-and-ready early days of Wyoming.
FROM FORT TO FRONTIER CITY
By the 1880s, the old military post was gone, but the land around it was alive and thriving with opportunity.
The Chicago and North Western Railway pushed its line through central Wyoming, and the small settlement near the river became a crucial stop for trade and travel.
Soon, ranchers, traders, and pioneers began to settle permanently.
The North Platte River provided water, the plains offered open range for livestock, and the nearby mountains created a natural barrier from harsh weather.
The new community kept the name Casper — that “accidental” name — and by the early 1900s, the city was booming!
Oil was discovered in Salt Creek, just north of town, and Casper became the beating heart of Wyoming’s energy industry.
Refineries, railroads, and businesses flourished. Workers from across the country came here looking for opportunity.
So while our name might have started from a mistake, the town that grew from it was anything but accidental.
Casper became — and still is — a symbol of Wyoming’s perseverance, independence, and drive.
THE SPIRIT OF CASPER TODAY
Fast forward to today — Casper is home to around 60,000 people, but it still has that small-town feel that makes it special.
You can hike or ski on Casper Mountain in the morning, grab lunch downtown, and spend the evening fishing on the North Platte River — all without leaving town.
We have incredible local restaurants, thriving small businesses, and a community that truly looks out for each other.
If you’d like to know more about all of my favorite restaurants and things to – do, right here in Casper, you can grab my free Casper, Wyoming relocation guide in the description box below and I’m also putting together a virtual seminar all about moving to Casper, Wyoming, more details coming soon so stay tuned!
Even though most people don’t think about it daily, the name “Casper” carries that spirit of courage that started it all.
A young man’s bravery.
A frontier town’s resilience.
And a community that keeps moving forward — no matter what.
As someone who’s lived here almost my entire life, I can tell you — there’s a reason people fall in love with Casper. It’s not just the scenery. It’s not just the opportunity. It’s the people.
We’re a town built on hard work, heart, and history.
WHY THIS HISTORY STILL MATTERS
When you live here — or move here — you quickly realize that Wyoming history isn’t something that sits in a museum. It’s alive all around you.
Every street, every trail, every name has a story.
Knowing that our city was named after a 20-year-old lieutenant who gave his life reminds us that courage and community are at the core of who we are.
That’s something we still see every day — in our teachers, our ranchers, our nurses, and our neighbors who show up when someone needs help.
It’s part of what makes this such a special place to call home.
MY PERSONAL CONNECTION
As a long-time Casper resident, I see that same Wyoming spirit every single day in real estate.
When I help families move here — especially people relocating from bigger cities — I always tell them, “Casper is not just a dot on the map. It’s a story.”
It’s a place where people wave to strangers, where local businesses know your name, and where kids grow up with mountain views and room to breathe.
That connection to the land and our history is why I love what I do.
Because whether you’re buying your first home, investing in land, or downsizing after years in Wyoming — you’re becoming part of that same legacy that started with a young soldier named Caspar Collins.
THE FORT TODAY
If you’ve never been, you can still visit Fort Caspar Museum, right here in town.
It’s been beautifully reconstructed near the original site along the North Platte River. You can walk through the stockade, see replica cabins, and even stand where Lt. Collins made his last ride.
Inside the museum, you’ll find artifacts from the Oregon Trail, Native American exhibits, and early photos of Casper’s founding families.
It’s one of those places that helps you step back in time and truly understand what life was like in those early days.
CASPER’S FUTURE
Our name might come from history, but Casper’s future is full of growth.
We’ve become a hub for outdoor recreation, medical innovation, education, and small business.
And yet, we’ve held onto our roots — friendly neighbors, wide-open spaces, and a deep respect for where we came from.
That combination — history plus progress — is what makes living here so rewarding.
Casper’s name might have come from a mistake — but the legacy it represents is pure Wyoming strength.
If you’re thinking about moving here or just want to learn more about life in our part of the world, My team and I would love to help.
You can start your home search on the most accurate real estate website in Wyoming —
👉 www.MakeWyomingHome.com
Which is also in the description box below.
It updates directly from the MLS, so you won’t see outdated or sold listings like on national sites.
If you’re thinking of moving to Wyoming, reach out to me. My team and I have time for you, we love talking with all of you and we want to help you find the right community for your lifestyle.
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