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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm

Overland Trail Museum

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Overland Trail Museum

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The Overland Trail Museum focuses on the history of Logan County. No Pets - Service Animals Only

For over 80 years visitors have enjoyed a step back in time when they visit the Overland Trail Museum. Extensive exhibits include pioneer history, Native American artifacts and antique farm equipment. Historic buildings include two barns, a general store, a prairie school, church, barbershop, 1915 stone block house, a caboose and a boxcar depot.

10/27/2026

🕯️ HISTORY CAFÉ: THE DARKER SIDE OF COLORADO HISTORY! 👻

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, October 28, at 10:30 a.m. for a special October edition of History Café as we explore the darker side of Colorado’s past!

From organized crime and notorious characters to grisly murders that shocked entire communities, we’ll uncover some of the chilling stories hidden in Colorado’s history. We’ll also explore devastating natural disasters and a few mysterious tales of spirits and hauntings that continue to capture our imaginations!

There are still a few seats available! Don’t miss this fascinating look at Colorado’s darker history.

📞 Call the Overland Trail Museum at 970-522-3895 to reserve your spot!

We hope to see you there! 🎃

10/27/2026

Colorado Without Mountains

$10.00

Dear this is a book of memories of a lively boyhood in Colorado. The years were the opening years of the twentieth century. The locale was a ranch on the South Platte, on a part of which a new town was taking root. The ranch symbolized a fading past of cowboys, cattle trails, open range and roundups. The new town of Proctor symbolized a new intensity in agriculture—new irrigation projects, new crops, such as potatoes and sugar beets and new people to do the work.

The author writes in light vein about boyhood mishaps, pranks and plots. Descriptions of Proctor and the Spring Valley Ranch reflect the booming spirit with which men undertook to develop the South Platte country. But what had started happening to both ranch and town while the author was still a boy is oft-told story of how best-laid plans can go awry.

10/26/2026

☀️🏛️ It’s the FINAL week of the Museum’s summer hours!

There’s still time to stop by, explore, and make the most of the season before our hours change!

Starting November 1, 2026, we’ll be switching to our winter schedule.

❄️ Winter Hours
📅 November 1 – March 31
🕙 Tuesday–Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🚪 Closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.

We look forward to welcoming you this week and throughout the winter season! Come see us before summer hours end! 🍂✨

10/23/2026

Zion United Church of Christ, previously known as the German Congregational Church, this photo is dated 2002. The tan brick church is located at the corner of Chestnut Street and North 5th Street. Many of its older members were Germans from Russia who immigrated to the area around the turn of the century.

10/22/2026

There’s still time to see this special poster exhibit before it comes down at the end of the year! Don't miss the chance to view this unique example that highlights some of the most important and pivotal points in our nation's history.

MOMENTS THAT MADE US poster exhibition:

As a part of the nationwide commemoration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Overland Trail Museum will be exhibiting this exhibition that commemorates the ideals at the heart of the Declaration of Independence through defining moments in our history. This exhibit is part of a multi-state collaborative effort. The exhibit is a smaller scale adaptation of the full exhibition, developed and currently on display at History Colorado in Denver. This exhibit was generously funded by our Sterling Bank of Colorado. The poster exhibit will be in the Hamil Building throughout the remainder of 2026.

10/21/2026

History Café is next week!

“Creepy” Colorado Tales at the Overland Trail Museum

The Overland Trail Museum invites you to join us on Wednesday, October 28, at 10:30 a.m. as our 2026 Echoes of Colorado ~ The Moments That Made Us History Café series continues with “Creepy” Colorado Tales!

October is traditionally a month for spooky stories, mysterious happenings, and a few good chills! This month, we’re putting a Colorado twist on the Halloween season by digging into the history books to uncover some of the darker, stranger, and more unsettling stories from our state’s past.

Colorado history is filled with more than gold rushes, pioneers, and tales of the Old West. Behind the familiar stories are notorious characters, intriguing mysteries, tragic events, and unforgettable disasters that left their mark on the people and communities of Colorado. From folks whose deeds earned them a place in the history books for all the wrong reasons to real-life disasters that are difficult to forget, these stories remind us that history can be fascinating, surprising, and sometimes downright creepy!

Join us for a morning of Colorado history with a Halloween flair as we explore the people, places, and events that reveal a different side of our state’s colorful past. After all, some of the most chilling stories aren’t made up around a campfire—they really happened!
History Café begins at 10:30 a.m. in the High Plains Education Center at the Overland Trail Museum. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a morning treat while discovering the stories behind the history. Seating is limited, so please call the museum at 970-522-3895 to reserve your spot.

10/20/2026

🎉 Stickers at the Overland Trail Museum! 🎉

Stop by the Overland Trail Museum Gift Shop and get yours!

✨ Small museum stickers – $2.50 each
🚗 Bumper stickers

Overland Trail Museum sticker – $0.50

Sterling, Colorado sticker – $0.99

Perfect for water bottles, notebooks, or your car—grab a few and show your museum pride!

10/19/2026

At the Overland Trail Museum, we’re dedicated to creating a unique and memorable experience for visitors of all ages!

Our youngest guests are invited to explore the classroom in the High Plains Education Center—a fun, hands-on space designed just for them. Here, children can play games, color, and take part in crafts and creative projects.

Kids can also relax in Baxter the History Buffalo’s Reading Oasis, where they can choose from a variety of children’s books while Baxter himself explores historical images with visitors on the classroom television.

For our little nature enthusiasts, binoculars are available for birdwatching adventures, helping them discover and learn about the many birds that call Colorado home.

The next time you visit the Overland Trail Museum, be sure to stop by the classroom for a fun and educational experience your young ones won’t forget!

10/16/2026

The Plains Motor Company Building, illuminated at night. Date of photo unknown.

Located at Chestnut Street and North 3rd Street, this site has a long history.

The property was originally the location of E. M. Gillett’s stone home and barn. In 1932, the house was used as a boarding house by Mrs. Henry Wilhem. One of its residents was Charles Pivonka.

In 1937, Clay Whitcomb and his father purchased the property. They tore down the house to build a Packard car dealership, using the barn as a workshop.

In 1938, the property was sold to Dr. F. E. Palmer, Mr. Gribbel, and A. A. Smith. It was later sold to S. L. Fredregill, who operated an implement business. He then sold it to E. J. Barnes, who operated Plains Motor Company.

In 1977, Charles Pivonka purchased the property to turn it into a Mobil Oil service station. Francis Roche, Glenn Fackler, Larry Blevins, and Merle Sherman tore down the barn and used the lumber to build mountain cabins.

10/15/2026

“Creepy” Colorado Tales at the Overland Trail Museum

The Overland Trail Museum invites you to join us on Wednesday, October 28, at 10:30 a.m. as our 2026 Echoes of Colorado ~ The Moments That Made Us History Café series continues with “Creepy” Colorado Tales!

October is traditionally a month for spooky stories, mysterious happenings, and a few good chills! This month, we’re putting a Colorado twist on the Halloween season by digging into the history books to uncover some of the darker, stranger, and more unsettling stories from our state’s past.

Colorado history is filled with more than gold rushes, pioneers, and tales of the Old West. Behind the familiar stories are notorious characters, intriguing mysteries, tragic events, and unforgettable disasters that left their mark on the people and communities of Colorado. From folks whose deeds earned them a place in the history books for all the wrong reasons to real-life disasters that are difficult to forget, these stories remind us that history can be fascinating, surprising, and sometimes downright creepy!

Join us for a morning of Colorado history with a Halloween flair as we explore the people, places, and events that reveal a different side of our state’s colorful past. After all, some of the most chilling stories aren’t made up around a campfire—they really happened!
History Café begins at 10:30 a.m. in the High Plains Education Center at the Overland Trail Museum. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a morning treat while discovering the stories behind the history. Seating is limited, so please call the museum at 970-522-3895 to reserve your spot.

Address

110 Overland Trail
Sterling, CO
80751

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19705223895

Website

https://www.sterlingcolo.com/departments/parks_library_and_recreation/overland_trail_museum/index.php

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