Wyoming National Bank of Casper
| Company type | Bank (former) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 1964-05-03 |
| Fate | Renamed and repurposed; ownership changed |
| Successor | Wells Fargo (mid-1990s–2020), then McGinley Innovations (2020–present) |
| Headquarters | Casper, Wyoming , United States |
The building formerly known as the Wyoming National Bank in downtown Casper, Wyoming officially opened its doors on May 3, 1964. Erected during the height of Wyoming's oil boom, this structure was the brainchild of architect Charles Deaton, who brought a "sculptural concept in architecture" to life through his unique Mid-century modern approach—representing the state's inaugural example of this style. This commission was Deaton's 36th bank design.
Throughout its history, the building experienced several changes in ownership. During the mid-1990s, Wells Fargo took possession and operated it under the name 'Wells Fargo Building' until 2020. In December of that year, McGinley Innovations acquired the property, renaming it the "M" Building. It currently accommodates McGinley Orthopedics alongside McGinley Sports Medicine clinic.
Architecture
Situated at the southeast corner of this two-story edifice is a sculptural rotunda composed of 17 curved concrete blades. Each blade weighs 21 tons and reaches a height of 44 feet. These blades are interspersed with glass and steel panels, collectively supporting both the dome and the surrounding walls—melding artistic form with structural integrity. The rotunda’s interior is free of columns, spanning an 86-foot diameter at floor level and narrowing to a 60-foot diameter at the ceiling. Originally, this space functioned as a two-story main banking hall featuring a domed ceiling and 20 teller booths arranged in a circular configuration. The dome incorporated an innovative lighting system utilizing a plastic louver with a distinctive "squiggle" pattern composed of thousands of elements to produce a seamless curved illumination effect—a pioneering design in the United States. The adjacent box-like structure appears to hover, supported by projecting beams on its northern side, which contained the bank’s office areas.
Time-temperature pylon
Conceived by Denver-based architect Harold Engstrom, the tower was constructed in 1968 and stood at an impressive height of 177 feet, earning the distinction of being the tallest time-temperature display worldwide at that period. The pylon is supported by three arched legs that converge about a quarter of the way up before diverging to hold displays on three faces. Each character displayed measured 8 feet in height. Initially, it cycled through "WYO," "NATL," "BANK," followed by time and temperature readings. In 1992, this display was replaced with signage for Norwest Bank and later updated to reflect Wells Fargo branding after their acquisition. In 2017, Wells Fargo removed its signage citing structural concerns; plans for demolition were subsequently halted due to community resistance. Now under McGinley Innovations’ ownership, the tower remains intact but without any signage.
Renovations
After taking ownership in 2020, McGinley Innovations undertook a comprehensive multi-million dollar renovation to convert the former bank into an Orthopedic clinic. This extensive project involved asbestos abatement, upgrades to mechanical systems, as well as electrical and plumbing overhauls. Former office spaces were redesigned into clinical rooms and diagnostic facilities. The rotunda has been repurposed to serve both as a welcoming lobby and an event space. Additionally, the exterior paint was restored to Deaton’s original white color scheme.