t took just more than two years to
take an
idea and form it into
reality. In 2008, the National Pony Express Association brought the
concept of building a national monument to the Pony Express to the Sidney
Jaycees. The Sidney Jaycees, having been a part of the development
of
the
Sidney community for more than 60 years, heard the idea and
accepted the challenge.
he estimated cost of the monument
was
expected to surpass $150,000. Much of the funds to construct the
monument were donated by the Cheyenne
County Visitors Committee, as the
organization recognized the importance of the monument. Faced with an
aggressive timeline to construct the tribute by June 18, 2010, a
committee was formed by the Sidney Jaycess to spearhead fundraising
efforts.
he group attained an artist's
rendition of the monument, first dreampt up by NPEA member Ken
Martin. Later, AutoCAD
drawings were drafted by Sidney City Inspector Jim Pelster. With an
idea of what the monument would look like and details on sizing, a costs list was created.
This
website was originally constructed to help with fundraising efforts.
or more than a year, the Jaycees
set about
raising funds. The economy suffered a severe recession, which limited
the group's efforts to raise the necessary monies for construction.
Even with the
committment from Wild
West Designs and artist Peter Fillerup to construct the bronze
statue of horse and rider, worries
surfaced that the monument may not be completed in time for the 150th
Anniversary Pony Express Re-ride celebration.
fter state and national efforts to
raise
funds,
generous support from the Cheyenne County Visitors Center and a land
donation from Cabela's,
construction began two weeks prior to the monument's grand opening.
hortly before the monument's
opening, it
was decided to forego the bronze statue of rider and horse to ensure a
grand opening worthy of the monument. The Jaycees have begun
fundraising anew to fund the cost of the statue. The organization hopes
to complete the monument sometime in 2011.
he day of the grand opening, June
18,
2010,
brought beautiful
sunshine and a soft breeze. Speakers incuded Dalan Hiett, Sidney Mayor
David Weiderspon, Cabela's CEO Tommy Millner, and NPEA members Ken
Martin and Les Bennington. A mock gunfight and robbery were staged as
the Pony Express Riders exchanged the mochilla. Following the grand
opening and flag raising ceremonies were a street dance with live band
and fireworks.
he monument is located adjacent to
the
Cabela’s retail store
location in Sidney, Nebraska located at 115 Cabela Drive. The
geographic
coordinates for the retail store are N 41⁰ 06.885’ W 102⁰ 57.355’.
ommittee members from the Sidney
Jaycees
included chairperson
Dalan Hiett, Ken Steffens, Gayle Tropp, Mandi Raffelson, David Fritz,
Regina Kuhns and Klark Byrd.
pecial thanks go to NPEA member
Ken
Martin for dreaming the concept and 2010 NPEA president Les Bennington.
o view photos of the grand opening
and
construction, please visit this Sidney Jaycees project page.
