DO NOT OPEN THE PHONE BOX! THE CACHE IS NOT INSIDE THE BOX!!!
The eleventh of a series of caches planned to be hidden at or near the historic rural schoolhouses of Routt County - beginning in West Routt during the summer of 2016!
SIDNEY SCHOOL – Sidney District #5 – Established in 1911 “Sidney was originally in District 26 which also included Cow Creek. The first school, opened in 1894, was held in a log building formerly used as the Baxter Saloon.” (Windows to Yesterday; Routt County, Rural Schools 1883-1960, Leslie, 1998, p.34) The new school was built in 1895 near the junction of County roads 14 & 22. Due to growing dissension between the communities of Cow Creek and Sidney, in 1911 Sidney petitioned to become their own district. The district consolidated with Steamboat Springs at the end of the 1953-54 school term. The building is now a residence at 32995 County Rd. 14. – in 2018 it’s yellow and sits across CR 22 from this cache.
According to the book “Tread of the Pioneers” (Leckenby, 1945), the first cabin was built in the Sidney area in 1880. There was an established stage stop on the Wolcott Line in the area, at the Laramore ranch which sat west of the intersection of county road 14 & 41 (Original buildings still stand here also). It was here that the famous outlaws, David Lant & HarryTracy were captured by Sheriff Neiman after their escape from the Hahn’s Peak jail in March of 1898.
Sidney was a ranching community until about 1910 when the community experienced a building boom and the little community was quite proud of it’s new store, church and school building. There was also a post office there. The store and post office lasted until the 1940’s when travel into Steamboat became easier with the introduction of cars and better roads.
Other Routt County School Houses in the Series: - with many more planned!
Foidel Creek Schoolhouse - RCSH#1
Dunckley School #1 - RCSH#2
Dunckley School #2 - RCSH#3
Dunckley School #3 - RCSH#4
Pleasant View School - RCSH#5
Dunstan School (RCSH#6) & Willow Creek Store
Southside School - RCSH#7
Fly Gulch School - RCSH #8
Cow Creek School - RCSH #9
Hilton Gulch School - RCSH#10
Sidney School - RCSH#11