Casper Native Restores Iconic Hell's Half Acre Sign for Display in Pennsylvania

Casey Gillum is bringing a piece of Wyoming history to his home in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:55pm

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of the distinctive Hell's Half Acre sign, repeated in a tight grid pattern against a vibrant neon color palette, capturing the sign's iconic grinning devil and rugged, weathered appearance in a modern pop art style.A restored piece of Wyoming history finds new life in Pennsylvania, as an iconic roadside sign becomes a pop art celebration of the state's unique geological wonders.Ashley Today

Casper native Casey Gillum has acquired the original sign from the now-closed Hell's Half Acre restaurant and hotel near Casper, Wyoming. Gillum plans to restore the 33-foot-long, 7-foot-tall sign, including the iconic bullet hole in the devil's head, and display it on his property in Ashley, Pennsylvania, which sits at an elevation of exactly 666 feet.

Why it matters

The Hell's Half Acre sign has become an iconic piece of Wyoming history, gaining global exposure as the setting for the 1997 cult classic film 'Starship Troopers.' Gillum's efforts to preserve and display the sign in Pennsylvania will help share a unique piece of Wyoming's cultural heritage with a new audience.

The details

Gillum, an antique dealer, has been trying to acquire the Hell's Half Acre sign for years. When he finally got the call that the sign was available, he didn't hesitate to snap it up. Transporting the massive sign was a challenge, as Gillum had to disassemble it into 6-foot sections to fit on his 24-foot trailer. Gillum plans a 'sympathetic' restoration, keeping the sign's aged appearance and even the bullet hole in the devil's head, which he learned was made by the daughter of the previous owner.

  • Gillum acquired the sign in recent years after chasing it for a while.
  • The Hell's Half Acre restaurant and hotel closed in 2005 when the previous owner retired.

The players

Casey Gillum

A Casper native who is an antique dealer and now lives in Ashley, Pennsylvania. He has acquired the original Hell's Half Acre sign and is restoring it to display on his property.

Hell's Half Acre

A unique geological formation near Casper, Wyoming that gained global exposure as the setting for the 1997 film 'Starship Troopers.' The Hell's Half Acre restaurant and hotel that once operated there closed in 2005.

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What they’re saying

“I just love Casper and I love Wyoming history.”

— Casey Gillum, Antique Dealer

“That's one of the coolest things about the sign. And I actually had a girl reach out to me and say that her dad was the one who did that, which is pretty interesting.”

— Casey Gillum, Antique Dealer

What’s next

Gillum plans to continue restoring the Hell's Half Acre sign and incorporate it into a larger outdoor display on his property in Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley, which will also feature other historic Wyoming artifacts and lighting.

The takeaway

By preserving and displaying the iconic Hell's Half Acre sign in Pennsylvania, Casey Gillum is ensuring that a unique piece of Wyoming's cultural heritage will be shared with a new audience and continue to captivate people for years to come.