Homestead National Monument of America
Homestead National Monument of America
Homestead National Monument of America, located in Southeast Nebraska, commemorates the lives and accomplishments of all pioneers and the changes brought about by the Homestead Act of 1862. This act was one of the most significant events in the westward expansion of the United States and had far-reaching effects upon the landscape and people of its time. Granting 160 acres of free land to claimants, the Homestead Act of 1862 allowed nearly any man or woman a "fair chance."
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Mark EnglerPhone Number: 402-223-3514
Entrance Fees: Free
Sights: Palmer Epard Cabin; Tallgrass Prairie; Heritage Center; Freeman School
Important Dates
Established as Park: March 19, 1936By The Numbers
Acres: 195.00Annual Visitation: 53,667 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :40.285250 / -96.821911 (map it)
State: NE
Nearby Big City: Beatrice, NE
Gateway Communities: Beatrice, NE; Plymouth, NE; De Witt, NE; Pickrell, NE; Filley, NE; Virginia, NE; Wymore, NE; Blue Springs, NE; Jansen, NE; Wilber, NE
Nearby Airports: Lincoln Airport (LNK); Eppley Airfield (OMA); Beatrice Municipal Airport (BIE); Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : No
Park Photos
Prairie Grass
Weldon Schloneger
Autumn Landscape
Weldon Schloneger
Homestead, 1843
National Park Service
View More Homestead Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Indoor Activities A diverse, detailed and complete picture of homesteading and the Homestead Act are presented at the Homestead Heritage Center. This multipurpose facility brings the epic homestead s ... read more.
Animals Homestead National Monument of America encompasses multiple habitats in which to observe wildlife. The Monument is home to over 100 species of birds which live in the tallgrass prairie and woodland ... read more.
Camping Chautauqua Park - South side of Beatrice, 3 1/2 blocks east off 6th Street [U. S. 77] on Gable Street. Electircal hook-ups [30 and 50 amp] for 20 units each with sewer hook up and water hydrants. Ri ... read more.
Frequently Asked Questions How do I find Homestead National Monument of America? Homestead National Monument of America is located west of the town of Beatrice in southeast Nebraska, about 40 miles south of the state capital o ... read more.
History It is the purpose of our government "to elevate the condition of men, to lift artificial burdens from all shoulders and to give everyone an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life." ... read more.
Just For Kids Be A Junior Ranger Young visitors are invited to become Junior Rangers. The program is fun, educational, and free! After completing pages in the Junior Ranger booklet, the child earns a badge and cer ... read more.
Natural World "In restoring the prairie grasslands the ultimate aim is to approach as near the original as possible. How near the original we can come is not known. But it would seem desirable to make an effort e ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Alcohol, hunting, and firearms are prohibited. Fishing is permitted with a valid Nebraska fishing license. Smoking, all terrain vehicles, horses, pets, and camping are not allowed on the trails, on ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Operating Hours & Seasons The park is open every day except Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. The trail system and parking lot are open from dawn to dusk every day the park is open. Summe ... read more.
Plants Gage County, located near the southeastern corner of Nebraska, sits in the center of the temperate grassland region of North America, at the western edge of the tallgrass prairie region. This area, ... read more.
Sights to See Palmer-Epard Cabin The Palmer-Epard Cabin was built in 1867 from mixed hardwoods, by George W. Palmer about 14 miles northeast of the Monument. It is representative of local construction style and ... read more.
Things To Do At either the Heritage Center or Education Center you can talk with a National Park Ranger about the meaning of this unit in the National Park System, enjoy the video "The Free Land," or b ... read more.
Visitor Services Restrooms, changing stations, drinking fountains, phones, and gift shops are available at the Heritage Center and Education Center. Soft drinks and bottled water are available from vending machines ... read more.
Walking & Hiking The Homestead National Monument of America trails are hard-packed walking trails. The longest prairie trail includes a low hill.Tallgrass Prairie An easy hike onto the Tallgrass Prairie gives a clos ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Support Your Park Visit the gift shop at the vistor center to find unique gifts and books. All itmes found in the bookstore have an educational component and are related to the themes of Homestead ... read more.
Homestead In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
