Sidney, Montana
Sidney is a city in and the county seat of Richland County, Montana, United States,[4] less than 10 mi (16 km) away from the North Dakota border. The population was 5,191 at the 2010 census.[5] The city lies along the Yellowstone River and is in proximity to the badlands of the Dakotas. Sidney is approximately midway between Glendive, Montana and Williston, North Dakota.
Settlers began arriving in the area in the 1870s, and a post office was established in 1888. Six year old Sidney Walters and his parents were staying with Hiram Otis, the local justice of the peace, and Otis decided that Sidney was a good name for the town. The following year, Montana became a state and Sidney was incorporated in 1911. [1]
Sidney was originally part of Dawson County, but became the county seat of Richland County at its inception in 1914.
Agriculture became an important part of the region after the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project was completed in 1909. A dam was built on the river south of Glendive, which diverted water from the river into a 115.2 km (71.6 mi) main canal, which runs north-south, parallel to the Yellowstone, irrigating land from Glendive north up to Fairview, where it dumps into the Missouri River. This project irrigates 51,429 acres (208.13 km2) and serves water to 450 farms, according to the manager of the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Districts.
The area experienced an oil boom and bust in the late 1970s and early 1980s, bringing an influx of people to the town for a short period of time. Around the start of the 21st century, the town started experiencing another surge in oil exploration activity.
The town's museum, the MonDak Heritage Center, was founded in 1967. The museum houses artifacts and archives that detail the history of life in eastern Montana and western North Dakota since the first pioneers arrived in the late 19th century.
Sidney relies heavily on farming, ranching, and oil production for economic stability. The surrounding countryside is populated with many farms and cattle ranches, plus oil exploration activity. The area's main cash crop are sugar beets, and Sidney is home to a sugar beet factory, built in 1925. The factory is the largest employer in the city, next to the Sidney Health Center and Sidney Public Schools. The town is served by Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport, one mile (1.6 km) west of the central business district.
The city has two community newspapers, The Sidney Herald and The Roundup.
Brandon Eggum, born and raised in Sidney, won the 2001 World Freestyle Championships silver medalist at 85 kg/187.25 pounds.Bio: Brandon Eggum
Marjorie Edmondson, 1956 Miss Montana who was disqualified due to her being married.[13]
Florrie Fisher, former drug addict and motivational speaker, retired to Sidney.[citation needed]
Donald Nutter, former Governor of Montana (1961--62), grew up here.
Clyde Lamb, gag cartoonist and syndicated comic strip artist, born in Sidney.
Barry Petersen, Emmy Award-winning CBS News Correspondent, graduated from Sidney Senior High School in 1966.