Place

Homestead National Historical Park, the Oregon Trail

A close-up view of the yellow flowers in bloom on the prairie. — Visit Homestead National Historical Park.
NPS Photo

Baby Changing Station, Food/Drink - Vending Machine/Self Service, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Restroom, Trailhead, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible

Homestead National Historical Park, managed by the National Park Service, remembers the Homestead Act of 1862 and the lives of those affected by it. The Act brought about significant changes to the United States, including opening up federal land to a diverse group of people. The National Historical Park is home to the Homestead Heritage Center, a museum, visitor center, and research center. It contains multiple exhibits that present the story of homesteading in an interactive setting. The Heritage Center also offers visitors the opportunity to research Homestead records on computers made available for public use. The park's grounds contain several historic buildings, such as the 1867 Palmer-Epard Cabin and the 1872 Freeman School. There are also several hiking trails that wind through restored tallgrass prairie. Other amenities include picnic areas, free, wireless internet, and cell phone audio tours.

Emigrant Remarks

"Friday, April 6, 1877. Plenty of air stirring today, so it was not so hot. We finished off the gable ends of the dugout and got the boards on the rafters, ready for the straw. A lot more sod to carry tomorrow for the roof. Had jack rabbit for supper. They dress 7 lb. sometimes and I tell you they are big ones, almost twice as big as ordinary rabbits. You ought to hear the prairie roosters. This is the pairing season, and they strut around and keep up a constant humming, and you can hear them 1/4 mile, and farther if the wind is right. There are lots of them on my claim."

- Kansas Homesteader Howard Ruede originally in Sod-House Days: Letters from a Kansas Homesteader, 1877-78

Site Information

Location (8523 West State Highway 4, Beatrice, Nebraska)

Safety Considerations