*** FORT SIDNEY COMPLEX
The complex consists of the powder house; the married officer's quarters which houses the Cheyenne County Museum; and the Post Commander's Home, restored and refurbished with authentic articles of the late 1800's. The Museum and the Post Commander's home are a major attraction for the county, A special event held at the complex during the holidays is the "Old Fashioned" Christmas Celebration. Community organizations adopt rooms in the Post Commander's Home and the Bachelor Officers' Quarters and decorate with all the holiday trimmings. During the Thanksgiving weekend you can enjoy Lamplight Tours with reenactments of a family home setting for the era.
*** CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Built as the original church of Fort Sidney in 1866, this unique Church blends past and present. Today parishioners worship where Indians and frontiersmen came together in a spirit of love and cooperation.
***
SIDNEY/ DEADWOOD WALKING TRAIL
As a new addition to the community of Sidney, the trail winds through the community with views of the golf course, bluffs and pleasant residential areas. The trail extends from the west edge of town by the fairgrounds through Legion Park to the east edge of town past the new Elks soccer fields and Western Nebraska Community College. Plans are now being made to extend the trail from the College to Interstate 80.
A Nebraska Landmark Council Historical Sign commemorating the Sidney-Deadwood Trail can be found on West Highway 30 in Sidney. A walk across the Union Pacific tracks will reveal that the ruts of this famed trail are still visible.
PONY EXPRESS
A marker commemorating the legendary express is located along Highway 30 on the way to Lodgepole.
LINCOLN HIGHWAY
Established in 1913 as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln, Highway 30 came through Sidney and Cheyenne County during the 1920's. The first all-paved coast-to-coast route later proved to be of prime importance to the
economy of the region and continues to serve the area. Original sights from the era still stand: the Sidney
American National Bank built in 1889; Brewsters Garage, which is now Guy's Home Haven; and the Lodgepole Handley's Drug Store , now know as Fraass Sundries that
stuck has the same shelves and working soda fountain. The opera house was built on the second floor.
GOLDEN LINK
Found six miles west of Sidney, the Golden Link signifies the joining of eastern and
western Nebraska. In the fall of 1974, the Golden Link was constructed of a six-inch strip of brass embedded in both lanes of Interstate 80.
SIOUX ARMY DEPOT
At the outbreak of World War II, a military presence once again took a strong hold in the community with the construction and operation of the Sioux Army Depot. The site constructed 1942 for storage and handling of tons of military equipment and ammunition covered 36 square acres.
The depot was active for 25 years from WWII, the Korean conflict through the Vietnam War and was terminated as an Army post by June 30, 1967. Several of the buildings still exist and it now serves as an industrial site. Property is accessible through a driving tour. It's located 6 miles west and 2 miles north of Sidney.
*** CABELA'S WILDLIFE DISPLAY
Sidney is the favorite hunter, fisherman and camper's paradise stop with the presence of Cabela's retail store and free wildlife exhibit, now considered the # 1 Tourist attraction in the State of Nebraska according to the Nebraska Department of Travel and Tourism. You'll find more than 500 wildlife replicas from
Canadian Geese hovering overhead to Cabela's "Tribute to Sportsmen" magnificent mountain display. Also on display is an 8,000-gallon aquarium filled with fish found throughout Nebraska. The "Royal Challenge", a double life-sized bronze sculpture of two elk battling for herd domination provides a photographic opportunity for visitors.
*** SIDNEY SHOOTING PARK
Test your skills at target shooting, sporting clays or archery. Located
north of Sidney. I-80 Exit 59 north to US Hwy 30. West to Greenwood Road,
three miles north. Open Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, noon-4pm; or by appointment.
$15.00 per 50 sporting clays or $25.00 per 100
(308) 254-4577 (800) 421-4769
*** HILLSIDE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
This 18-hole championship-caliber municipal golf course plays through
beautiful, yet rugged terrain. The new clubhouse also houses the Hillside
Grille which is open to the pub
LEGION PARK
This park is an ideal setting for fun and games or just relaxing. It includes modern playground equipment to excite a child's fantasies; a railroad monument and a pond stocked with fish to whet a young fisherman's appetite. The pond also serves as a haven foe Mallard Ducks and during the winter months, is enjoyed by ice skaters. Legion Park brings Mother Nature into the city in style.
*** LIVING MEMORIAL GARDENS
Located in Legion Park, is a recycled garden project using a 1940's vintage municipal swimming pool. The garden memorial establishes a monument to the role Sidney, and its sons and daughters played in American history. Ablaze with color, this park is a panorama of beauty during the growing season. Relax in the garden's gazebo while enjoying your visit to Sidney!
WAR MEMORIAL
This Memorial located in Legion Park honors veterans of Cheyenne County with the largest flag and flagpole in Nebraska. The brass plates depict the wars and the local veterans who fought in those wars. The huge flag that towers with it's majesty over the community with a shining beacon of light proudly displays each day the community's pride in its country. The flag, which measures 20' x 38' on its 140 foot flagpole is manufactured by a local company. The War Memorial planning, expense and operation is done totally by volunteers.
THE VIRGINIA SMITH ROOM
This room is a replica of the long-time Nebraska Congresswoman's Washington D. C. office and
memorabilia is located at the Sidney Public Library.
*** SIDNEY HISTORIC DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
Twenty-nine of Sidney's downtown buildings earn spots on the National Register of Historic Places. Sidney is the only city in western Nebraska to have the "Historic District" designated because of the city's adjoining buildings, which are not interrupted by a new building or an empty lot. Many of the buildings carry the historic decor and architecture of the late 1800's. Sidney, the oldest
western Nebraska community established nearly 20 years prior to most western Nebraska communities, was the "Capitol of all of western Nebraska during the frontier days of settlement. It's colorful western lore rivals that of any
western frontier town, especially during the Sidney-Deadwood Gold Rush of 1876. This was an era when Sidney's "front street" which ran along the street adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad, was dotted with over 80 saloons and numerous gambling halls, boarding houses, brothels and what was then considered the "World's First 24-hour Theatre." As many as 2,000 gold seekers, adventures and desperadoes would enter and leave frontier Sidney on any given day. It was the site of many old west shootouts and colorful western lore that earned it the title of "The Toughest Town on the Tracks". Those traveling by UP coach were even advised to not leave the passenger car and do so only at their own risk when it stopped in Sidney.
Tourists today, can take a step back in history on a walking tour of downtown Sidney. The downtown is often decorated with seasonal themes and a beautiful Christmas project dots the skyline of the historic buildings of the business community each holiday season.
CHEYENNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The courthouse also offers a cornerstone example of beauty, landscaping and xeroscaping, featuring many native flowers, grasses and plants.
RAILROADS, DEPOTS & MUSEUMS
The railroad is part of the past and present here. Cheyenne County had its own railroad, the Sidney and Lowe. Additionally, Potter and
Lodgepole showcase their Depot Museums. Dalton has a Prairie Schooner Museum and an authentic pioneer log cabin with original furnishings of the Pioneer era.
POINT OF ROCKS
Historic Point of Rocks is located near Lodgepole Creek - the longest creek in the world, which runs along east Highway 30 near Potter, Nebraska. Altercations between Indians and the track-laying crews of the railroad occurred here. Three and 1/2 miles east of Potter on U.S. Hwy 30.
GUNDERSON MILL
Gunderson Mill is located 5 miles east of Potter on Highway 30 and is drive
by only. It was constructed in 1878. This mill produced "Snow Water Patent"
flour until 1910.
BUFFALO BEND
Buffalo
Bend is located just west of historic Point of Rocks in the Lodgepole creek,
which has the distinction of being the longest creek in the world. Lodgepole
Creek runs through three states: Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. Point of
Rocks is the site of altercations between the Indians and the track laying
crews of the railroads. Point of Rocks is also the site of the sharpest
curve on the Union Pacific Railroad.
MUD SPRINGS
Mud Springs is located north of Dalton on Highway 385, then west. There
is a summer museum operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society. It was
a stage, telegraph, and Pony Express Station. |
