Visitors

Outdoor recreation on two state park water ways

North Sterling State Park

http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/northsterling

A popular site for recreation, North Sterling State Park promises a piece of the great outdoors.
From any spot in North Sterling Park, visitors are surrounded by views of the high plains and the bluffs reaching over the 3,000-surface acre reservoir. Called a boaters paradise, the reservoir is stocked with warm-water fish, including rainbow trout, walleye, saugeye, wiper, smallmouth bass and many others.
All park visitors must purchase a Colorado State Park pass at a cost of $5 a day or $55 for an annual pass. Colorado residents 64 or older may buy an Aspen Leaf pass for $27. Elks campground, north of the dam, is open year-round. The two south campgrounds are open from May to Labor Day weekend. Call 970-522-3657 for fees.

Prewitt Reservoir

With 900 acres of water, Prewitt Reservoir offers bird-watching, fishing and hunting. Fish include trout, wiper, yellow perch, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, white bass, saugeye and walleye. The entire lake is wakeless but there are no motor restrictions and the lake has a boat ramp.
Every person 19 -64 must purchase a habitat stamp before entering onto the site. Habitat stamps are $5 with hunting or fishing license or $10 a person without a license. Stamps can be purchased through a licensed vendor, online at www.wildlife.state.co.us or by calling (800)244-5613.

Overland Trail Museum

When you pass through the doors of the Overland Trail Museum, its like a walk back in time. Its a time machine, a tangible photo album of how things used to be.
Memories of the Overland Trail are kept in pristine condition thanks to the hard work of its dedicated curators.
Its the communitys history, well preserved for future generation to see and experience the birth, struggles and triumphs of past generations.
Patrons will develop a new feel on how life was generations ago when all the convenience of the modern world which we now enjoy are nonexistent.
A fireplace built using petrified wood welcomes patrons as they enter the front room built in 1936. Vintage rifles and an assortment of taxidermy animals greet you.
Items we have here were items the first settlers brought with them and items donated by their families, said museum curator Kay Rich. This museum has so much!
Built in 1965, the first addition in the museum is the downstairs area which exhibits a two-headed calf, a crowd favorite.
From the old courthouse to the existing one, photos of the old Sterling downtown district is a site to see as it fills the hallways of the museum.
The transformation of Sterling and nearby towns is well documented in the photographs and gives the viewers a glance of the past.
Tourist and locals alike are amazed by the museums collection of vintage clothing, electronics such as radios, television sets and phonographs.
This museum has something for everyone, such as a collection of handmade toys and dolls, some looking like they just came out of their boxes.
The rural electrification exhibit was dedicated to Dave Hamil in 2002 and was made possible with the help of public donations and grants.
Trees, native grasses and wildflowers can be seen on the grounds with a well-shaded picnic area offers an idea resting place.
Scattered throughout the grounds are pieces of pioneer farm machinery provide patrons with a glimpse on how farming was done back in the homestead days.
The Village exhibit is a collection of several buildings which include the Stoney Buttes one-room school, a county Evangelical Lutheran Concordia Church, Dailey Country Store, a blacksmith shop, a barbershop and a print shop.
For information on hours and fees call (970)522-3895.

Bradford Rhea Sculptor turns trees into living art

He was in his 20s working as a diagnostic technician at the Logan County Hospital when he realized that he needed to pursue his passion to be a sculptor.
Soon, Sterling was known as the City of Living Trees when Bradford Rheas tree sculptures started sprouting around town. I always wanted to do marble sculptures but could not afford it, Rhea said adding that he approached city officials 27 years ago when he heard that they were planning on removing dying trees around the city.
Rhea carved a total of 17 tree sculptures, some of which can be seen on a self-guided tour of the city. Some of his works are in the process of being restored.
In his art studio in merino, Rhea stood in front of his marble creation, the Exordium cut out of a 21,000-pound piece of marble as he expressed his deep appreciation for the community that supported him through the years.
I count my blessings every day of my life. I consider myself very fortunate, Rhea said citing all of the opportunities and love the community provided him.
There are nine sculptures situated in different city landmarks for easy public access and self-guided tours.
Created in 1987, the Scion carved from a 100-year-old cottonwood tree is displayed at the Ramada Inn Courtyard on U.S. Highway 6 and Interstate 76. The piece is available for viewing all year round.
Park lovers can view the Skygrazers gracing the west entrance of Columbine Park. What is known as the symbol of the City of Living Trees was originally dedicated in 1984. In 2000, it was recast to bronze where the original wood sculpture stood. The original is currently being restored.
Greeting tourists at the tourist center is the Metamorphosis. The original wood carving is now located at the French Hall of the Northeastern Junior College and is available for viewing during business hours. Available for viewing 24 hours a day, the bronze version was created in 2002.
One of the most memorable moments for Rhea was when he was commissioned by the Department of State to create a walking stick for then President Clinton to present to Pope John Paul II during his visit in 1993.
The sculptures are more about the people in Sterling than me. I had a lot of help from a lot of friends in this good community and the Lord has been good to me, Rhea said as he describes himself as more persistence than talent.
If you go:
Tours of Bradford Rheas studio can be arranged by appointment by calling 970-522-0783 or by e-mail at sculptor@kci.net.http://www.thesculptor.net/

LeRoy a Logan county ghost town

All that remain today of the small town of LeRoy are a limestone marker commemorating the original LeRoy Evangelical Church, the remnants of an old stone well, and some scattered rocks
The LeRoy schoolhouse, a wooden structure, stands in a field across the road to the west. Glenis Sonnenberg Schmidt, who grew up just south of the town, said her father had attended the school and told how it had no drinking water to the school from wells in the town.
The LeRoy Cemetery, which is still maintained, is one mile north of the church marker. A newer, larger church is located one mile south of the marker. It is the third LeRoy Evangelical Church, as a previous one built on the new site burned down in 1949 and was rebuilt. The present church is now affiliated with the United Methodists.
All the LeRoy structures are along Logan County Road 71, with the marker located at the intersection with CR 16. This is 10 miles south and four miles west of Fleming.
Information provided by the Logan County Historical Society states that LeRoy was surveyed by W.L. Hays, platted Feb. 13, 1889, and filed the next day. Wi9thin a year, the town had two grocery stores a hardware store, a blacksmith shop, a broom factory and a post office. At that time, it was in one of the most densely populated farming areas of Logan County.
One can travel many miles in various directions and find no better farming country than here, according to the information from the Historical Society.
If you go:
The ghost town of LeRoy is located along Logan County Road 71, with the marker located at the intersection with CR 16. This is 10 miles south and four miles west of Fleming.
Remember, LeRoy is located on private land get permission before entering.

Anyone for golf? In Sterling, the game is thriving.

Two18-hole courses are in play in the heart of Logan County.
There is the public course, Riverview Golf Club. Riverview is the host of many spring and summer charity tournaments; it is also the home of the Riverview Ladies Golf Association, which competes there every Tuesday in the spring and summer.
Riverview is open to anyone with $13 for nine holes or $19 for 18 holes. For nine holes, carts are $7 per person and $11 for 18. The club also offers memberships.Riverview, a par 71 course, is located at 13064 County Road 370.
Sterlings private course is Pawnee Pines Golf Club. It is located at 17408 Hwy 14.
The city also offers a disc golf course at Pioneer Park on Hwy 14 that is expanding to 18 holes.. The course features water hazards hills and holes in the woods. It is free and open to the public.
The hunt is on.If gold isnt for you, then why not try antiquing? There are many options for antiquing in Sterling.
Heart of the Plains, located at 116 Main Street, has costume jewelry salt and pepper shakers and a little bit of everything, all organized for easy browsing.Sterlings other antiquing options are Eastman Brothers, located at 326 N. Front Street, Warehouse Antiques, 327 N. Front Street and County Charms Gifts Antiques located at 330 N. 3rd Ave. (Not sure about these now. Isnt Warehouse Antiques now the Rialto?)Adventurous antique hunters can also find bargains at Stoneham Antiques in Stoneham, 23 miles west of Sterling on Hwy 14 and Prairie Inspirations, located on CR 33.5 in an old church just west of Sterling, of Hwy 14.

Public Parks and Playgrounds

Lakes and Reservoirs

Sports and Fitness Activities