Sidney Creative 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” designation 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 some years prior to most western Nebraska communities, was the “Capitol” of all of western Nebraska during the frontier days of settlement.Its colorful western lore rivals that of any western frontier town, especially during the Sidney-Deadwood Gold Rush of 1867.  As many as 2,000 gold seekers, adventurers 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 as “The Toughest Town on the Tracks.”

The boom-and-bust resilience sets this small rural community apart from others, and ties both into the history of the town, as well as the forward and progressive thinking of the community and community members. The ability to adapt to big changes makes Sidney different and unique. Sidney has seen huge growth and success followed by big down turns and struggles. The community finds a way to make difficult times and challenges into opportunities for growth.

New creative businesses and/or successful creative products since in the last three years include: The French Door Antique Mall, MCK Photography, Agency 39, Code of Silence Camo, Boss City Brewing Co., Highby Outdoors and Coffee Corner, NexGen Outfitters, Pedaler’s Corner, Charlotte and Emerson Boutique and Couture Dress Shop, Andrew’s Trains and Blue Fiddle Fabrics, Main Street Games and Clever Tee’s. These are only some examples, several others have started or are in the process of launching.

The Sidney Creative District is a fun place to live, work, and visit. It will be a place for people to gather and enjoy the community’s arts, culture, history and celebrate creativity.  The Creative District will be the heart of the community. It is a place where creativity, innovation and arts thrive and it will move Sidney into the future.  Goals of the creative district are centered around improving the overall look and feel of downtown, specifically building facades and streetscape; marketing of the creative district, specifically, linking the I-80 corridor to downtown; an outdoor space for artists and events; and a space for artists and creatives to utilize as a space to create and showcase work.  Identified strengths show Sidney is home to creative businesses and people with a strong sense of community pride. However, there are opportunities to better market the downtown corridor and link the Interstate 80 corridor with downtown. Creating new spaces for creatives and artists, including an outdoor artistic event space and a space to both be creative and display creative pieces are opportunities to enhance the economic vitality of Sidney and see continued growth.

Sinful Sidney Walking Tour of buildings – http://webplugin.travelstorys.com/cityofsidney/