Welcome to the Shelby County Historical Society's plaque collection! Here you can find the Society's popular wooden miniature buildings featuring the community's historical landmarks. The Society's Heritage Collectible Series are wooden plaques hand-crafted by the people at Shepherd's Heart Foundation, a non-profit group employing the handicapped. Due to the fact that Shepherd's Heart has gone out of business, our supply is limited. We will not be able to order any more once these are gone.
Big Four Bridge Produced by the Shelby County Historical Society in 1997
The imposing structure of the Big Four Bridge spans the Great Miami River and County Road 25-A. Its history dates back to the early 1920’s when officials of the Big Four Railway (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis) saw a need to relocate the line through Sidney. Construction of the Big Four Bridge was the major part of the project, and began in early October, 1922. The general contractor was Walsh Construction Company of Davenport, Iowa. Approximately 250 employees were used to build the 785 feet long, 105 feet high bridge. There are five arches, three of which are 140 feet wide, and two are 100 feet wide. The first batch of concrete was poured on December 23, 1922 and was completed on November 11, 1923. There was a total of 900,000 pounds of steel used with 28,000 cubic yards of concrete.
Non-Members: $25 + $4.50 postage and handling Members: $16 + $4.50 postage and handling
Bonnyconnellan Castle Produced by the Shelby County Historical Society in 1997
Non-Members: $25 + $4.50 postage and handling Members: $16 + $4.50 postage and handling
John Loughlin, founder of the Sidney School Furniture Company and the Mary L. Poultry Company, came to Sidney in 1880. He purchased land for a new home on November 17, 1884, for $5,000. Local historians believe that the Bonnyconnellan was patterned after a castle by the same name, located in Cork, Ireland. The home was constructed in 1885 and finished by 1886.
Bridgeview (Old High School) Produced by the Shelby County Historical Society in 1997
After purchasing land from the Presbyterian Church and paying for the disinterring of bodies from the old Presbyterian graveyard to Graceland Cemetery, construction was commenced on a new high school. Completed at a cost of $100,000, the building was ready for students by September, 1913. In 1960, the new Sidney High School on Campbell Road opened its doors and Bridgeview is now known as the Bridgeview Middle School. It houses more than 600 seventh and eighth grade students.
Non-Members: $25 + $4.50 postage and handling Members: $16 + $4.50 postage and handling
Children's Home Produced by the Shelby County Historical Society in 1995
Non-Members: $25 + $4.50 postage and handling Members: $16 + $4.50 postage and handling
In June 1893, a county board of visitors recommended that Shelby County needed a home — and its construction should be a top priority. The 142-acre Duncan farm was purchased and a road built to the out-of-town location. The total cost of the land and buildings amounted to $30,000. The cornerstone was laid on May 31, 1895, and after two years of construction, the first group of children took up residence. Thirty-five youngsters arrived at the home by train from Logan County on October 15 — starting a 79 year legacy in which over 820 children would pass through its doors.
The imposing structure of the 
