Baedeker: Sidney, OH

I had to go to Sidney, Ohio, for work so while there I knew I wanted to take a few pictures on Courthouse Square.

Sidney's Courthouse Square is a National Register Historic District and the intact, cohesive Square is quite nice. The focal point is, of course, the Second Empire style Courthouse, completed in 1883, and designed by George H. Maetzel. There is also the very interesting, Victorian Gothic Monumental Building, completed in 1877 to honor Civil War dead. But my main reason to visit was to see the People's Federal Savings & Loan Thrift Building. This National Historic Landmark was completed in 1918 and was designed by Chicago architect, Louis Sullivan. This quote from American Architect, published in Fall of 1918 sums up the building:

"... a new building from the hand of Louis Sullivan was an event in architecture ... If so much space has been given the little building that glows like a jewel on its much mooted corner, it is because it marks a departure from the day of mere utilitarianism ..."

Author's Note: Baedeker was a German-based travel guide begun in 1827 by Karl Baedeker. These comprehensive guides were hugely popular in Europe, the United States, and throughout the British Empire. I have adopted the moniker for all my travel pieces beyond Cincinnati. Given its German history and stately influence, I thought it fitting for the Queen City. I actually first heard of them while watching the movie A Room with a View, where proper, Edwardian English ladies Lucy Honeychurch and her chaperon travel around Florence, Italy, Baedeker in hand.