Sidney, Ohio Bucket List

Posted byJenneferPosted inOhio Bucket Lists, Sidney
If you are really hungry, or you have a small group with only $13 between you, head on over to Murphy’s Craft Bar and Kitchen to get their giant Nachos!
Stop by The Famous Spot Restaurant (opened in 1945) and share a Giant Strawberry Pie or get a hot dog for 25 cents! The Spot restaurant originated with a man named Spot Miller. In 1907, Spot brought his chuck wagon into Sidney and set-up business at the corner of Court Street and Ohio Avenue. The city would not allow Spot to sell meals this way. His solution, remove the wheels and add awnings to create a permanent structure.
The Chuck Wagon style restaurant operated from 1907 to 1934. In 1934, the current building was erected.
  • A Louis Sullivan architectural masterpiece built in 1917. The Peoples Federal Board of Directors met with famed architect Louis Sullivan in Chicago and commissioned him to design their Bank. This building is one of the first air-conditioned buildings in the United States. Its structure and interior furnishings are much the same as they were in their original state including the stainless steel bank vault door weighing eleven tons.
Walk across the street to go inside one of the GORGEOUS last works of 1918 early-modern ARCHITECTURE BY louis H. Sullivan and notice the hand carved molding, the intricate stained glass windows and the bank safe that looks like the kind in the movies! Secret info if you are cold: the bench seats are heated!
Cross kitty-corner to the 1877 Gothic revival Monumental Building, dedicated to the county’s Civil War dead (look for 3 marble tablet plaques listing names on the first floor) . go inside through security and up to the third and fourth floors to see the old opera house that is now a courtroom. Some of the most famous Vaudeville acts in the nation performed here, including Bill Cody and his Wild West Show in 1881 along with Flying Cloud, ‘the oldest war chief of the Sioux nation,’ and many others. A giant elephant show featuring “Giant men, giant women, and giant animals from all corners of the globe” packed the opera house in June, 1882. Adults paid 25 cents and children 10 cents for these spectacles.  the ceiling of cherubs and vases was uncovered under several layers of wallpaper in a recent renovation. can you find the lady on the wall carrying wheat? Can you find the 1890 blue man, sergeant baker in the niche in the gabled center of the east facade? ?
Don’t forget to take a walk in beautiful Tawawa park and see the covered bridge. Explore the great bridges and the ruins of old bridges. Stay the night and try the spa at the Great Stone Castle on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1895, GreatStone Castle was originally home to Sidney Industrialist, W.H.C. Goode, one of the wealthiest men in Shelby County. GreatStone is constructed from the finest wood and masonry products available in their time, all transported to Sidney from various countries by sailing ship and rail. The walls are constructed from Bedford Indiana limestone, 18 inches thick. Intricate stone columns support the wrap around front porch. Three turrets give this massive structure its castle-like appearance. Overlooking historic downtown Sidney, two acres of lawn, gardens, and 100 year-old oaks greet all who approach by the scenic circular drive.

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