Weakened Signs Forced Their Removal From Bank Tower

The deteriorating signs on the landmark tower at the Wells Fargo Bank downtown office had become a safety issue, so they had to come down, a company spokeswoman said.

"A recent inspection prompted it for health and safety reasons," Julie Fogerson said Thursday.

"We wanted to make sure we take care of those panels," Fogerson said. "The concrete pylon itself does not pose an immediate risk, so we're evaluating options as to whether we might be able to produce a replica, just working with the city in regards to the remainder of it."

The materials in the panels were deteriorating after a half-century, so Wells Fargo wanted to be pro-active, she said.

The company has no plans for the immediate future for the concrete tower, at least until spring, Fogerson said. "It will have to be evaluated at that point. The plans were to take care of that immediate risk"

The rest of the work by High Country Crane Service should be completed by Friday, she said.

The 177-foot tower, nicknamed the "eggbeater" because that's what it looks like when you stand directly under it, is a highlight of Casper's otherwise mundane skyline.

It was designed by Casper architect Harold Engstrom, and built in 1968 to accompany what was then the Wyoming National Bank building, and is now Wells Fargo at 234 E. First St. For a long time, it had a digital time and temperature sign.

The main bank building, completed in 1964 was designed by prominent mid-century modern architect Charles Deaton, who designed Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., and the house featured in Woody Allen's comedy "Sleeper."