By Ramona Joyce

Shortly after Nebraska gained statehood in 1867, a top official of the Union Pacific railroad requested
the Army provide protection for the railroad construction crews. They feared possible Indian attacks.
The military set up a sub-post of Fort Sedgewick. It was named by the Army for the top-ranking railroad
official Sidney Dillion. It was first known at Post at Sydney Station and then Sidney Barracks. After the
fort was built it was Fort Sidney. The people of Sidney had nothing to do with the naming of the town.
Camp sites were chosen on the bluffs north of the tracks. This location provided an excellent viewpoint
for a lookout for the entire area. In 1871, Fort Sedgewick was closed down. Stores and materials were
moved to Sidney Barracks, NE

The discovery of gold in the Black Hills of SD brought Big changes to the small outpost Sidney Barracks.
Immigrants had already established a trail going North from Sidney. The early military route joined this
trail. Later it became known as the Sidney-Deadwood Trail. Thousands of people rode the train from
the east to Sidney and planned to head north in the hopes of getting rich. But these people needed
wagons, food & mining supplies. Businesses started up to take care of their needs. These businesses
included dance halls, gambling saloons and places to purchase alcohol numbering 87. In fact, Sidney
had the first all night saloon. There weren’t enough places for all the people coming to town to sleep so
the saloon was open all night to give them a place to go.

Many famous/infamous individuals were said to visit Sidney. These individuals included: “Buffalo” Bill
Cody, James Butler, “Wild” Bill Hickok, “Calamity” Jane, “Doc” Middleton, James “Whispering” Smith, Ex-
Governor David Butler, Honorable Henry T. Clark, Rutherford B. Hayes, Sioux Chief Sitting Bull and many
Cheyenne Chiefs. Plus many more individuals. Butch Cassidy lived in Sidney and owned a livery stable. It
was suspected that Jesse James paid a visit to Sidney, too.

“Buffalo” Bill was said to have attended Christ Episcopal Church in Sidney. It was built in 1886 to serve
the soldiers. Bill even carved his name into one of the pews during service. It was sanded out and
stained by a parishioner who didn’t appreciate the graffiti.

Gold from the Black Hills was being shipped by stagecoach or wagon to Sidney to be put on the train to
take to big banks. This was an opportunity for those who didn’t want to make a living the honest way.
Lawlessness ran rampant. One of the most told legends, is that of 1880’s Bullion Robbery. The take was
four bars of gold worth $80,000. It was suspected to be an inside job but no one knows.
These were rough and lawless times. During this time Sidney became known at the Toughest Town on
the Tracks. The gateway to the Gold Rush.