The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was homesteaded! The land, long inhabited by indigenou...
Informational wayside discusses some difficult considerations for homesteaders.
A footbridge crosses over a small stream (the Cub Creek) and into 100 acres of restored tallgrass prairie. A sign in front of the bridge reads: "A Legacy of Change Across this footbridge you can walk through 100 acres of restored tallgrass prairie. As each year passes, this piece of ground will look more and more like what Daniel Freeman saw when he laid claim to a 160-acre homestead here in 1863. As you explore ahead, keep in mind the brutal challenges of this prairie. How could simple tools and hard work overcome blizzards, prairie fires, tornadoes, plagues of grasshoppers, and a host of other calamities? Yet despite these harsh realities, millions of people flooded the land in 30 states to carve out a better life. Through the Homestead Act families, immigrants, single women, ex-soldiers, freed slaves, and fortune seekers settled ten percent of all the land in the United States. Their hard work changed America forever. Gaze across all that tall grass and ask yourself, "What would I have done first?" Photo of the Freeman homestead, 1869. Today the Freemans' wheat fields, cornfields, family orchards, and livestock are gone from their claim. The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
Informational panel describes the dynamic life of a 100-acre patch of prairie on America's first homestead.
Informational sign looking out over prairie and Osage orange hedgerow reads: "A Prairie Reborn These rambling acres of grass and greenery might not look like a carefully planned landscape. Yet they are part of an ongoing restoration effort begun in 1939 to undo the effects of 76 years of farming, restoring agricultural fields to a diverse collection of native plant species that represent the vegetation the first homesteaders encountered. Prairie ecosystems once spanned 140,000,000 acres. Today, less than one percent remains. Restoration and research at Homestead National Monument of America help us to understand and manage these vanishing environments. ...it would seem desirable to make an effort early in the program to restore some of the more prominent spring, summer and fall flowers to show a part of nature which no doubt gave some cheer to the first settlers. Adolph Murie Restoration of Native Grassland at Homestead National Monument, 1938"
Boardwalk overlooking restored tallgrass prairie. Wayside sign details some of the birds found throughout the Park.
An expanse of prairie backed by an Osage orange hedgerow and forest with a sign in the foreground reading: "Birds of the Freeman Homestead The diverse natural resources of this place enticed Daniel Freeman to homestead here in 1863. Не found flat prairie with fertile soil for farming, trees to build with, and a creek to provide water. Those same resources attract more than 60 species of birds. Birds that only live in prairies, such as dickcissels and meadowlarks, have experienced rapid population declines due to habitat loss. The National Park Service has been restoring the tallgrass prairie at Homestead National Historical Park since 1939. While prairie restorations like this one provide islands of habitat, less than 4 percent of North America's pre-settlement tallgrass prairie remains. Look and listen closely as you walk through different habitats. You may hear barred owls in the woodland. Great blue herons or a family of wood ducks might be spotted in the creek. Red-winged blackbirds flutter on the prairie, while yellow warblers and rose-breasted grosbeaks prefer the edges between the plant communities. As you enjoy the sights and sounds of Homestead, take a moment to think about what you can do to help preserve habitat for our feathered friends. Many prairie dwelling birds like dickcissels make their nests or lay eggs directly on the ground."
Blackdom, New Mexico was the most important black homesteader colony in New Mexico. Located fifteen miles south of Roswell, Blackdom was incorporated by thirteen African Americans from Roswell, New Mexico, in 1903.
Informational panel highlights some mapping difficulties for early homesteaders.
Informational sign in front of restored tallgrass prairie bounded by trees reads: "Boundaries of Freedom The fenceless plains were vast and open when early homesteaders first came here. But the very nature of homesteading - the possibility of an individual owning 160 acres - meant that somebody had to legally divide and define limits for the land. The Land Ordinance of 1785 determined that land should be surveyed before settlement in a rectangular-survey system. The basic unit was a township, a 36-square-mile area, that is further subdivided into sections and acres. The Freemans homesteaded a quarter section, 160 acres, the number of acres specified under the Homestead Act of 1862. You are standing at the South-east corner of the Southwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 26, Township 4 N, Range 5 E. To homesteaders the boundaries created by surveyors were signs of freedom in a bountiful country that made a way for an ordinary family to own a piece of land. Aerial views clearly show the United States Rectangular Survey System. Can you identify a section? a half section? a quarter-quarter section? Notice the Freeman homestead is an odd shape (upside down capital "T"). Homesteads could be any shape desired as long as each quarter-quarter section shared a side. In what other shapes could a homestead be made? The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
Farm equipment for cutting corn and mowing prairie grasses.
Wood and steel machines are shown in front of informational signs, reading: "Cutting Corn Pulled between rows of corn by a horse, the corn sled harvester, also known as a "corn cutter," would harvest corn as it was dragged through the field. Perfecting a machine to harvest corn took many years of unsuccessful construction, which began as early as 1820. These early machines were patterned off the mower and reaper, but they were unable to cut, or they would break under the heavy strain of the corn plant. Some of the machines that were invented, however, had mechanical features that were later used in corn sled harvester inventions. Homemade sled harvesters were made from time to time based on the sled pattern. Machines were improved to reduce the amount of labor involved in using the corn sled harvesters. Wheels were mounted on the sleds to help reduce draft. Dividers were constructed on the sled to guide the corn stalks into the cutting apparatus. Reducing the workload further, mechanisms were introduced to direct the cut corn into a wagon. All of these inventions led to today's use of corn pickers and combines. Mowing For thousands of years, hay or fodder was a critical form of fuel on the farm. Cutting hay or grass was hot, dusty work using sickles and scythes. Mowers were the first step toward making the task less labor intense and more productive. Mowing with the use of horsepower was first conceived in 1812. A patent in 1822 created a mower with two wheels on different axles, which was said to be capable of mowing ten acres a day. Many harvesting companies over the years produced numerous variations of the mower. Horse-drawn sickle mowers like this one were used well into the late 1920s and early 1930s. Later mowers could be thrown in and out of gear without having to stop the team, which allowed the driver to cut close to trees, stumps, or rocks, collecting more hay or grass. The cutter bar could be raised and lowered by the driver. The sharp blades would be level with the ground as it was pulled. Gears would move as the wheels turn, which caused ..." *Final text is rendered unreadable since it's covered by farm equipment. *
Daniel Freeman's homestead claim in Gage County, Nebraska was likely the very first to be made and successfully "proved up" under the Homestead Act of 1862. Today, the claim is a part of Homestead National Historical Park.
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) created the first physical monument of Daniel Freeman's land. Attempts at creating a national monument on Daniel Freeman's homestead claim had failed and the DAR chapter in Beatrice, Nebraska wanted to help preserve the story of homesteading. In 1925 the DAR placed a stone monument on Daniel Freeman’s plot of land commemorating it as the first homestead filed under the Homestead Act of 1862.
On the Grain Grower Highway trail at Homestead National Historical Park. It is located near the prairie plaza and the centennial time capsule.
DeWitty began forming in 1904 with the Kinkaid Act. This act expanded the Homestead Act allowing individuals to claim 640 acres of land in Nebraska's sand hills. It grew to be the most populous, long-lived, and successful settlement of black homesteaders in Nebraska.
Dearfield, in Weld County, about 70 miles northeast of Denver, was the largest black homesteading settlement in Colorado. At its peak between 1917 to 1921, Dearfield may have housed as many as 300 residents.
The soil stability offered by deep and integrated root systems is a hidden and yet key aspect of prairie.
A small native plant garden is seen just past a sign. The sign reads: "Deep Roots in the Earth The most important part of a living prairie is something you can't see without taking a shovel in hand. The dense, interlocking roots of prairie grasses make an underground structure unlike anything seen in the woodlands of the East. The insects, birds, and grazing animals homesteaders first saw on these prairies all depended on the flowering plants and grasses growing in this native plant display and that unseen mat of deep roots. Beside sod for building homes, how did homesteaders adapt prairie plants for their use? American Indians like the Omaha built large earth lodges. Homesteaders cut sod and built houses. The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
Dempster Mill Manufacturing Company provided water for farmers for over one hundred years. Dempster Mill Manufacturing Company is one of the the longest running wind-powered water pump manufacturer in the United States. The company produced windmills from 1885 until 2009. Dempster Mill Mfg. Co. employed hundreds of people in the local area allowing the surrounding communities to thrive.
Several examples of harrows are on display in front of a sign reading: "Digging up After the fields were plowed, the seed bed had to be prepared. The better the soil was broken up, the better the crops would grow in the soil. Early seed beds were prepared by hand with sticks, spades, or rakes. Later, an implement called a harrow was invented and used to break up big clumps of soil. The early harrows were square shaped with spikes attached to a wooden frame pulled by a strong horse or a pair of oxen. The design was changed to triangular, which made it easier to pull though the soil. This harrow is called a folding A-frame harrow because of its shape. It has a wooden frame and metal teeth. These "teeth" did the work of breaking up the clumps of soil. After the corn was planted, it was necessary to keep the weeds out of the corn field until the young plants had a chance to sprout. This required the farmer to walk his entire field 3 times, in 10-day to 2-week intervals in June and July. In 1852, a combined Walking and Riding Cultivator was introduced by William Beard. This was a 2-horse drawn cultivator that "straddled" a row of corn. In 1870, they started making the Moline "Western" of which 175,000 were sold in the next few years at $27.00 each. Today weeds are controlled through the use of cultivators and herbicides. Provided by the Glen Brinkman Memorial"
The Living Wall just outside of Homestead National Historical Park's Heritage Center shows percentages of each homesteading state that were homesteaded.
Located next to the Living Wall is a sign in the foreground reading: "Do You Live Near a Homestead? There's a good chance you do - Homesteading reached three of every five states. Is yours among them? The Homestead Act of 1862 offered people 160 acres of free land - if they were willing to live on it, farm it, and build a home. This map shows the 30 homesteading states in which the government gave away 270 million acres. On the wall each state has a cutout that represents the proportion of homestead land in that state. Can you see where homesteading was most important? One hundred years ago the Congress passed the Homestead Act, probably the single greatest stimulus to national development ever enacted. Under the impetus of that Act and other laws, more than 1.1 billion acres... have been transferred to private and non-federal public ownership. President John F. Kennedy, 1962"
Empire was the most important community of African American homesteaders in Wyoming. Although small, it was closely linked to similar communities in other states. The founders of Empire arrived with substantial financial resources and farming experience. Ten claimants proved up homesteads, supporting a population of approximately forty.
The farm implement room found at Homestead National Historical Park houses equipment that was used and developed during the Homestead era.
A brick room attached to the back of the visitor center. The room is rectangular and quite wide. Along the walls on each side you see farm implements and equipment. Two ropes are used to create a walkway down the center of the room, allowing you to get closer to the equipment.
The Freeman School serves as a reminder of the role the schoolhouse played in the history of the prairie frontier. Officially known as school District Number 21, the school was a center of education for prairie children from 1872 until 1967.
A red brick one room school. The building has a flag pole out front. Red, wooden shudders are hung on the outside of the school.
Different wagons were used to transport people and supplies from one place to another.
A covered wagon is behind a supply wagon that's behind a sign reading: "Getting Around The farm wagon was a central part of farm operations. Homesteaders could have a one-, two-, or three-section farm wagon. The sections, or panel boards, giving extra height to the wagon, could be removed and stored when not in use. Most homesteaders used a one- or two-section farm wagon for daily activities. A three-section farm wagon was used to haul a big load of light, loose materials in bulk from place to place. The three-section farm wagon might carry corn, oats, wheat, barley, or potatoes. Other optional devices were available for the wagon, like a hopper to scoop corn. Wagons carried people west to their homesteads in the early years. As railroads got them closer to their destinations, either a farm wagon or buckboard carried them to their claims. The farm wagon was the preferred mode of transportation until the automobile came into wide use in the 1900s. Provided by the Glen Brinkman Memorial"
The land on which Homestead National Historical Park stands today has water, trees, grass, and good soil. It has been rediscovered by many generations of Native Americans both as a point to live and perhaps even grow crops. Before Daniel Freeman, there is evidence of other squatter homes on the claim.
Forest in fall with a sign in the foreground reading: "Good Land to Live On We have plenty of buffalo, beaver, deer and other wild animals. We have everything we want. Petalesharo, Pawnee People have always looked for bountiful land. Archeologists have found clues that people have been living here for at least 12,000 years. As early as 2,000 years ago, the people who lived on this part of the Great Plains had settled into small villages and had started raising some crops. Today no one knows what name these early farmers called themselves. In the early 1800s, trappers and traders found the Otoe- Missouria and the Pawnee here along Cub Creek, farming and hunting buffalo and deer. By the time Daniel Freeman came these people had moved to reservations. But Freeman was not the first American to try to make a home here. A squatter cut trees from these woods to build a cabin. No one knows this squatter's name; he filed no claim for the land. A few years later, Daniel Freeman stayed in the squatter cabin while he built something better for his family. How did Freeman's interest in this land differ from those who came before him? The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
Walking path through restored tallgrass prairie. Wayside provides details about an old "Grain Growers Highway" that passed through what is now Homestead National Historical Park.
An expanse of prairie backed by an Osage orange hedgerow and forest with a sign in the foreground reading: "Grain Growers Highway "Beatrice Will Be Port on Grain Growers Auto Trail" Beatrice Daily Sun, August 6, 1926- Or would it? You are standing on the site of the old Grain Growers Highway. Initiated by the Grain Growers Association in 1926, the Grain Growers Highway followed along an old freight road that ran through Daniel Freeman's homestead. The new highway project promoted an auto trail that would extend east and north connecting Beatrice to Yellowstone National Park. While the Grain Growers Highway never materialized as the original supporters had intended, enough money was raised to build a road from Beatrice, Nebraska to Plymouth, Nebraska. This stretch of highway only extended about seven miles, but it was a success for the thousands of people that had lobbied its construction. On February 22, 1931, the Beatrice Daily Sun wrote, "Plymouth at last is connected with the rest of the United States with an all-weather road, and they cannot accuse us of being a foreign country anymore.""
Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) is native to parts of Texas and Oklahoma but was commonly planted as hedgerows in Nebraska and other Midwestern states. The original Osage orange hedgerow planted on Daniel's homestead has survived a century.
A line of trees marks the southern boundary of the park. The trees today have reached full growth as they have not been trimmed to be used for fencing in many years. The tree line follows the natural terrain of the landscape and slopes down gradually as it nears the creek which flows through the park.
In the years following the Civil War, black homesteading colonies dotted Kansas including one in Hodgeman County. The group of Exodusters made land claims under the Homestead Act of 1862, but a town never materialized. A dream of free land spurred them on, but the lack of rain in the late 1870s meant it was a tough time to be farming in southwestern Kansas. Over time, most of the settlers moved away though some remained.
Homestead National Monument of America, 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.
Homestead National Historical Park. 418 words<br /><br />The visitor center here at Homestead is reached by a broad sidewalk that runs parallel to the right side of the parking lot. Looking down the sidewalk we see the one-story, red-brick building. The front of the lobby area on the right is all glass. The flat roof slants up gradually to the right side, then slopes up steeply to a point at the right rear of the building. White lettering on the wall to the left of the entrance reads, "Homestead National Historical Park, Heritage Center."<br /><br />To the right of the entrance, a textured cement wall stained an earthen-tan color extends towards us along the sidewalk. On the other side of the sidewalk are several benches. <br /><br />To the left of the building a sidewalk winds out to a one-room log cabin and displays of old farm equipment.<br /><br />Before reaching the end of the wall are several signs. One covers park regulations. Another tells us that a cell phone audio tour is available by dialing 402-715-9527. A third sign is titled "Walk in Their Shoes" and shows a black white photograph of a man following a plow pulled by a team of mules. It reads, "What was it like to be a homesteader? To get an idea, take a walk. The flags around the parking lot enclose an acre. It may not seem huge. But plowing an acre meant walking about 10 miles. Over uneven soil. Driving a team of oxen. In sun or rain. Walk that acre. Then multiply it by 160, the size of a typical homestead."<br /><br />As you reach the end of the wall, another wayside sign shows a map of the United States with all the homestead states identified. The only states without homesteading were those on the eastern seaboard, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Hawaii. Text on the sign tells us that the Homestead Act of 1862 offered people 160 acres of free land if they were willing to live on it, farm it and build a home. The map shows the 30 homesteading states in which the government gave away 270 million acres.<br /><br />Metal cutouts of the 30 homestead states are mounted on the wall, each with a square cutout that represents the proportion of homestead land in that state. Feel free to touch.<br /><br />As you enter the center, there is a sign-in book at the right side of the foyer. Inside, the information desk is to your left and the gift shop is to your right.
Informational panel describes the way human interventions leave marks on the land.
Informational sign looking out over prairie and Osage orange hedgerow reads: "Look around you. The impact of the Homestead Act is clearly visible. Grain elevators, fertilizer plants, housing developments, state highways, modern farms-these and other features are tangible evidence of the Homestead Act's success in settling the West."
Informational panel shows a range of early barbed wire designs. The nearby fencing reinforces this diversity of form, showing examples of different types of barbed wire.
Informational sign looking out over prairie and Homestead's Heritage Center reads: "Is All Barbed Wire the Same? Barbed wire proved invaluable for marking boundaries on the open prairie. Soon after its invention in 1874 there were over 570 different patents and thousands of variations. You can examine dozens of them on the fence nearby. Why so many? Early inventors tried to improve the basic idea, most notably Joseph F. Glidden's 1874 innovation of a simple barb on a strong, double-stranded wire. Later entrepreneurs tried to cash in on barbed wire's potential. Those versions that could be produced more efficiently, and sold more cheaply, succeeded. Different types of barbed wire include: -Saw Tooth Ribon Wire -Watkins Lazy Plate Patent November 1876 -Crandels Champion: November 1879 -Orlando Hoffman: Patent December 1890 commonly called "Deckers 2inch Spread""
Informational panel discusses land as either a commodity or an end itself.
Informational sign in front of restored tallgrass prairie bounded by trees reads: "Land: Commodity or Community? The Great Plains seem eternal and almost infinite. But the look of the land is not constant. When Congress created this national monument in 1936, 60 years of farming and Dust Bowl-era droughts had seriously damaged the Freeman homestead. Then, in 1939, the National Park Service started work to bring back the native plants of the tallgrass prairie. Today, as more and more of the natives return to health, you can see a scene that looks more like what early homesteaders first saw here in the 1860s. Native tallgrass prairie is rich in grasses, flowers, birds, and butterflies. Only 150 years ago, this open ground before you was a tiny island of farmland in a great sea of grasses. Today it is an island of recovering prairie in an ocean of farms. We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. Aldo Leopold The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
The land on which Homestead National Historical Park stands today has water, trees, grass, and good soil. However, trees were not part of the package for many early homesteaders. How might life be different without trees, and what difficulties might occur?
Backlit forest in fall with a sign in the foreground reading: "Life Without Trees Except for small groves along creeks and streams, there were virtually no trees, and the cost of shipping lumber in was prohibitively expensive. Walter Prescott Webb You are standing in a lowland burr oak forest- rare in Nebraska, even when Daniel Freeman arrived. The trees along Cub Creek made it possible for the Freeman family to have it all- a sturdy log home, fences for livestock, and plenty of wood to burn for warmth against biting winter winds. Not long after passing the Homestead Act, Congress saw the great need for more wood in order to settle the West. The federal Timber Culture Act passed in 1873. This law encouraged settlers to plant trees in the arid West. Some people believed that more trees would increase humidity and rainfall, making it easier to grow crops. But even an act of Congress could not force trees to grow on the prairies. Homesteaders in the treeless West adapted to use what they had at hand- sod for shelter and buffalo chips for fuel. But what to do to make fencing? The answer eventually came not from nature, but from industry. Barbed wire was first mass-produced in 1874. Words fail to describe the confusion among the farmers when they emerged from the timber into the plain, where neither rails nor rock could be obtained for fencing. Walter Prescott Webb Homesteading families planted trees to protect their home from the wind and sun. Does the prairie today have more trees than before homesteading? The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
A rope making tool is laid out in front of an informational panel reading the following: "Making Rope Rope is important in fields as diverse as construction, seafaring, exploration, sports, and agriculture. The use of ropes for hunting, pulling, fastening, attaching, carrying, lifting, and climbing dates back to prehistoric times. It is likely that the earliest ropes were naturally occurring lengths of plant fibre, such as vines, followed soon by the first attempts at twisting and braiding these strands together to form the first proper ropes. The ancient Egyptians were probably the first civilization to develop special tools to make rope. By the late 18th century several working machines had been built and patented. Laid rope, also called twisted rope, is historically the most prevalent form of rope. Rope was made from something that was pliable and easily twisted together, such as cotton, hemp, or animal fibers. Fibrous twine was fastened on the hooks of two wooden stands facing each other. These stands were called the traveler and the jack. The jack is the anchor, and the traveler slowly moves toward the jack when the cranks are turned in opposite directions of each other. This creates a three-ply rope that is shorter than the original length of strands. One person would hold a piece of wood called a "skirder" to keep the pieces of twine from tangling together. Provided by the Glen Brinkman Memorial"
Nicodemus is the longest-lasting black homesteader colony in America. In 1877 six black entrepreneurs in Topeka joined with a local white developer to form the Nicodemus Town Company. They located their town in the Solomon River valley in north-central Kansas. Most who stayed filed homestead claims. By 1899 they had received 114 homestead patents, making them owners of 18,126 acres. Nicodemus still stands as a small village and is designated as a National Historic Site.
The Palmer-Epard Cabin was built in 1867 from mixed hardwoods, by George W. Palmer about 14 miles northeast of the Park. It is representative of local construction style and considered luxurious in size measuring 14 x 16 feet. Imagine living in this one room cabin with 10 children. The cabin was moved to Homestead National Historical Park in June of 1950.
Palmer’s original cabin was 14 feet wide by 16 feet long. This cabin was moved to Homestead National Historical Park in 1950. He used oak, ash, and other hardwoods cut from the banks of Bear Creek for his cabin walls. He made the brick in the gable ends by hand.
Boardwalk overlooking restored tallgrass prairie. Wayside sign details various transportation methods used by homesteaders.
An expanse of prairie backed by an Osage orange hedgerow and forest with a sign in the foreground reading: "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles The early years of homesteading saw hopeful land seekers traveling to their claims in covered wagons and buggies. However, the idea that this was how all homesteaders reached their claim is actually a myth. Most homesteaders came by trains, automobiles, and eventually, planes. This change in transportation technologies allowed homesteaders to get to their claims much faster. 1.6 million people successfully homesteaded during the 123 years of the Homestead Act (1863-1986). Nearly one million of those occurred in just the first twenty-five years of the 1900s - more than all the other years combined. It was during this time that transportation networks and vehicles were rapidly changing and improving, allowing homesteaders to move themselves and their products from farm to market faster and more efficiently. First passenger train to arrive in Broken Bow, Nebraska, 1886. In the 1920s automobiles, or "horseless buggies, became commonplace moving people and goods. Float plane used in the 1980s by Ken Deardorff, the last homesteader, to travel to his Alaska claim."
Farm implements used to plant seeds and oil hogs more efficiently.
Several examples of seed planting equipment are on display as well as an example of a machine used to oil hogs. Informational panels read: "Planting Seeds Wheat, oats, barley, or rye were planted with this one-horse drill. Seed was loaded into the lidded box. Then the homesteader adjusted the drill for the drop width which put space between the rows. Adjustments for rate released a certain number of seeds into the "shoes". As the machine was guided along, this drill planted the crop in rows. Homesteaders took pride in getting their horses to walk a straight line since there were no tilled rows to follow in early spring. The driller was a space-saving device for planting barley or rye between rows of corn. Before the introduction of the seed drill, the common practice was to plant seeds by hand. Besides being wasteful, planting was very imprecise and led to a poor distribution of seeds, leading to low productivity. The use of a seed drill can improve the ratio of crop yield by as much as nine times by planting seed at a controlled depth and in specified amounts. The earliest known version of this tool, invented in Mesopotamia by 2000 B.C., consisted of a wooden plow equipped with a seed hopper and a tube that conveyed the seed to the furrow. By the 17th century, metering systems were in use to ensure accuracy of the rate of planting; most consisted of wheels bearing small spoons that dipped into the seed hopper and guided seeds to the furrows in standard amounts. Provided by the Glen Brinkman Memorial Oiling the Hogs Hog lice presented a significant problem for farmers. Severe infestations caused sores and hair loss. In the days before vaccinations and antibiotics were common, hog cholera posed a very real threat. In years of severe outbreaks, Midwest farmers faced potentially devastating losses. Dispensed by contact when a hog rubbed up against a hog oiler, thick fluid effectively smothered lice. Although medicated oil was available, additives were probably little more than hype. The government never really endorsed oilers and in fact suggested the devices were ineffective in combating disease. "They recommended mopping or dipping," said collector Bob Coates. Farmers, though, saw the oiler as a cheap, easy protection-if not against cholera, then against lice and skin conditions. Many used spent oil in the devices (rather than purchase "medicated oil"); many more made their own oilers. Oilers come in a variety of styles: Fence-mounted, walk-through, weight-activated pump, ratchet-governed wheel, roller-type and post-type. The double wheelers, Columbians, and Sipes were the most common; the single-chain oilers ranged in weight from 10 to 150 pounds. The earliest date to 1902, but the devices didn't really take off until 1912. The golden age for oilers was 1912 to 1918. At that time they were made of cast iron. After 1920, oilers increasingly featured steel, sheet metal, cables and chain construction, and they were modified for use on other livestock. Some of the companies that produced medicated oil also sold oilers. Initially expensive, oilers became increasingly affordable; ultimately they were offered as a premium to oil buyers. Provided by the Glen Brinkman Memorial"
Standing in front of barbed wire fence you look out over the 100 acres of tallgrass prairie found in the park. Depending on the time of the year the grasses range in height from ankle to waist level, and eventually they'll reach eye level. This viewpoint looks over the complete 100 acres of prairie and shows the depression in the land that was once farmed by the people who homesteaded it. The grasses sway in the wind and turn from brown to green as the rains come and provide moisture to the prairie.
Informational panel discusses ways that roads and rails were instrumental to success for many early homesteaders.
Informational sign looking out over prairie reads: "Roads to Success You are standing on an old road trace, lined with cottonwood trees, where freight was hauled by wagon. The ability to get goods to market is yet another reason Daniel Freeman homesteaded here, four miles from the town of Beatrice. Freight roads helped homesteaders get their harvests to towns with rail depots. Trains could move goods cheaply and quickly over the vast distances of the Great Plains. Freight that took four days to haul by road was delivered by rail in four hours. Easy access to roads and rails could make or break a homesteader. In just 50 years, railroads made an impact on society similar to the Internet today. What Happens if the Railroad Never Comes? Railroads wanted more customers in the West. Lavish advertisements promised a golden future in towns like Nicodemus, Kansas, that only existed on paper. But no railroad ever came. People who had bought land then faced having to live on what they were able to produce for themselves. Today, Nicodemus, population 27, is still isolated. The nearest city- Hays, Kansas -is more than an hour's drive. The Freemans witnessed the automobile overtake the wagon. Highway 4 was moved to its present location in 1956. The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
Informational panel encourages visitors to hike about to see the prairie as it was prior to present day.
Informational sign looking out over prairie and Osage orange hedgerow reads: "The first prairie homesteaders found a wonderous, unique, and complex ecosystem. It was rich with promise and possibility-and unlike anything they had ever seen. The homesteading story begins with the land. To see what they saw and feel what they felt, follow the trails through the monument's restored tallgrass prairie. Discover the features that made this land such an appealing homestead: the creek, available timber, fertile land, freight road, and nearby town."
Sign behind historic corn shelling machines reads: "Shelling Corn Corn is considered to be one of the most important staple crops in the world. People in some parts of the world actually consider corn as their survival food. Because of the high need for corn kernels, it led to the invention of tools called corn shellers. Corn shellers helped farmers and housewives with shelling the kernels from the cob. It was supposed to make shelling faster and easier. The first corn sheller was invented by Lester E. Denison at Sayville, Middlesex County, Connecticut. The design was patented on Aug. 12, 1839. He was recommended for several awards including the Scott Legacy premium for his work. The John Scott Legacy Medal and Premium, created in 1816, is a medal presented to men and women whose inventions improved the "comfort, welfare, and happiness of human kind" in a significant way. After husking corn the homesteader put the dried cobs into the top of the sheller. As they turned the crank, metal teeth on the inner wheel chewed the corn off the cob and spit golden kernels into the waiting bucket. The chafe, or hard flakes at the bottom of the corn kernels, were removed by shifting the corn between two buckets, allowing the wind to blow away the chafe. This was called winnowing. Later models had blowers that automatically removed the chafe in the corn sheller. Provided by the Glen Brinkman Memorial"
Informational panel highlights some of our preconceived notions when it comes to simple living.
Informational sign in front of prairie grasses reads: "Simple Living? Today we live comfortably in our homes with utilities and luxury amenities delivered right into our living rooms. The Homestead Act of 1862 required applicants to build a dwelling. Homesteaders had four models from which to choose. Log Home-Here on the Freeman claim, there were enough trees growing to raise this log home. Near this spot in 1863 Freeman cut logs and squared them, stacked them into walls, and chinked the cracks with mud. If a family neglected their cabin's chinking, dirt and snow would sift in. Dugout-Homesteaders anxious to plant their first crops could dig a temporary shelter out of the ground in just a few days. In time some would build a "soddy." Some wives new to the frontier would burst into tears when they saw such crude quarters. Soddy-Farther west on the Plains, sod was the only material available for building. After digging with a spade or special plow, 3-foot-long blocks were laid like bricks. More sod or prairie grasses covered a simple wooden roof. Sod houses were usually small, dark, and dirty. But they were cool in summer, warm in winter, and protected a family from prairie fires. Frame House-Homesteaders close to a railroad had more chances to upgrade the quality of their housing-if they could lay hands on enough cash. Trains hauled in carloads of lumber from sawmills in the East. On the Great Plains, even a tiny wooden frame house was seen as a symbol of success. The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
Boardwalk overlooking restored tallgrass prairie. Wayside sign details some of the factors that led to the degradation of land in the Great Plains and best practices used to reverse some of those trends.
An expanse of prairie backed by an Osage orange hedgerow and forest with a sign in the foreground reading: "Soil-from Rich to Ruin to Recovery Some of the richest topsoil in the world can be found here in Nebraska. For centuries prairie plants died and decomposed here, improving the soil's texture, porosity, and ability to hold water. It took about 2,000 years to build up the top two inches of rich topsoil. Daniel Freeman knew that good soil made for good crops. Railroads promoted farming in the West, promising the best farmland and good annual rainfall. When settlers arrived, many found thin, rocky soil that held little or no moisture. Yet they still found ways to farm the land to meet the requirement of growing crops to prove up on their homestead claim. In the 1920s, powerful new tractors and plows made breaking sod easier. The wealth of the soil was now exposed to the elements - not only rain but also wind. When drought struck in the 1930s, windstorms swept the parched soil skyward taking it as far as the Atlantic Ocean. Acres of once-rich farmland were left useless. The "Black Blizzard" of 1935 carried away topsoil with hurricane-strength winds. About 850 million tons of topsoil blew off the land in that year alone. Imagine a dust storm like this blowing over your home. How would you feel when you walked out your door to find the fruits of your labor flattened under layers of wind-blown silt? The restored prairie before you is much like it was when people settled the Great Plains. Compared to this 1939 photo, this land has been making a comeback-rebuilding the soil with careful guidance from land managers. How long will it take before this soil compares to the soils found here when Daniel Freeman arrived? Strip cropping, terracing, contour plowing, and crop rotation all help keep soil from eroding away. By 1938, sustainable farming practices like these reduced topsoil loss by 65 percent. Great Plains farmers still use them today."
Success can be a nebulous and subjective goal. Some early homesteaders considered themselves successful if they "proved up" their land. Others saw success as what they could do after. How do you measure success?
Forest with fall leaves and a sign in the foreground reading: "Success From the Land Owning land and just counting on crops might not be enough on a homestead where hardship, droughts, blizzards, and plagues of locusts were commonplace. Near here the Freemans built a house of bricks made from creek bank clay in 1876-just nine years after moving into their first log home. For that generation of Midwesterners, a solid brick home was a hallmark of homesteading success. Some settlers had the ingenuity to adapt to their rigorous new lands, looking for opportunities where there were none, preparing for hard times, and joining with others in times of need. The Freemans owned over 1,000 acres of land when Daniel died in 1908. Home Economics Agnes Freeman began teaching while studying medical textbooks on her own. A skillful midwife, her neighbors accepted her as a qualified doctor. Other frontier wives sold eggs, took in laundry, or sewed to add to farm income. Other prosperous homesteaders replaced their first home with frame houses, built with lumber brought in by rail. From Rags to Riches Robert Ball Anderson (1843-1930) was born into slavery and walked off his master's Kentucky plantation to join the Union Army. After the Civil War, Anderson claimed a homestead. For five years he battled locusts and droughts. His first farm failed and he left. Anderson then worked three years as a farm laborer. Anderson tried homesteading again and became a success. By 1918, he owned more than 2,080 acres, then the largest black landowner in Nebraska. I lived alone, saved, worked hard, lived as cheaply as I could. Robert Ball Anderson, From Slavery to Affluence The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
Sully County’s black homesteader community prized education as well as owning land. Soon the “Sully County Colored Colony” numbered as many as one hundred residents. Members of the colony successfully claimed 22 homesteads, and with purchased lands, became owners of perhaps 7,000 to 8,000 acres. The Sully County black homesteader community remains a powerful reminder of generations of African Americans who sought opportunity in the Great Plains.
The location of this homestead settlement was in Sully County, South Dakota.
Informational wayside next to a one-room schoolhouse known as the Freeman School. Wayside text reads: "The Brick School (1872-1967) For a time, the Freeman School you see here was the longest running schoolhouse in Nebraska. On its first day, there were 14 students. Homesteaders believed education to be essential. Schooling was a path for immigrants, ex-slaves, and women to reach the American Dream, and building schoolhouses started early on the frontier. Thomas Freeman, an adjacent landowner and no relation to Daniel, made the bricks that built this schoolhouse, replacing an earlier log school. Clash in the Classroom In 1899 controversy boiled out of the Freeman School when teacher Edith Beecher was found reading Bible verses, singing gospel hymns, and praying. Daniel Freeman asked the school board to stop Beecher. The school board refused, based on the idea that the Bible was good literature. Freeman took his case to the courts. The district court ruled in favor of the school board. Freeman appealed to the Supreme Court of Nebraska. There the decision was reversed, finding that Beecher's activities were sectarian and constituted religious worship. - Students educated here called this the Brick School. At one time there were seven country schoolhouses in Blakely Township. The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
The "Living Wall" is a visual representation of the percentage of land in each state that was successfully homesteaded.
A concrete wall that is approximately 4 foot high on one end and increases in size as it gets closer to the front of the visitor center. The wall is attached to the building. There are 30 metal cut outs of the homesteading states displayed on the wall. The metal cut outs are a rust color, and the concrete is a tan color. Each state has a square cut-out that represents the amount of land in the state that was settled by the Homestead Act of 1862.
The Homestead Act provided individuals with 160 acres of land. This informational sign helps contextualize that quantity.
Located next to the Living Wall is a sign in the foreground reading: "Walk in Their Shoes What was it like to be a homesteader? To get an idea, take a walk. The flags around the parking lot enclose an acre. It may not seem huge. But plowing an acre meant walking about 10 miles. Over uneven soil. Driving a team of oxen. In sun or rain. Walk that acre. Then multiply it by 160, the size of a typical homestead. There seemed to be nothing to see; no fences, no creeks or trees, no hills or fields... There was nothing but land: not a country at all, but the material out of which countries are made. Willa Cather, My Antonia, 1918"
A wayside interprets information about native prairie plants in front of open prairie with trees in the background.
Page 10: Plains Wild Indigo (Baptisia leucophaea) Flowers: May-June Height: 1-3 feet Leaves: The leaves are alternate 1.5-4 inches long and divided into 3 distinct segments Flower: Pale yellow, similar to a pea flower. Develops large seed pod Habitat: Common in prairies in southeast Nebraska Traditional Uses: The Pawnee Indians treated colic by rubbing a mixture of crushed Wild Indigo seeds and bison fat on the abdomen. Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) Flowers: July-October Height: Up to 3.5 feet Leaves: Alternate, compound, divided into as many as 20 pairs of leaflets. Each leaflet is narrow and less than 1 inch long Flower: Bright yellow, up to 1.5 inches wide, 5 petals with dark red stamen Habitat: Common in the eastern half of Nebraska in moist, disturbed ground and disturbed upland prairies Traditional Uses: American Indians used Partridge pea as a tea given for fainting spells. Page 11: White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) Flowers: May-September Height: Less than 2.5 feet Leaves: Dull green, alternate and compound Flower: Dense, cylindrical spikes encircled by a wreath of tiny flowers Habitat: Most common in the tallgrass prairies in eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians brewed the leaves into a tea and ate the roots. Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) Flowers: June-July Height: 3-5 feet Leaves: Alternate, doubly compound, with each leaf having branches which are themselves divided into leaflets Flower: White, small, forms a spherical head at ends of stalks Habitat: Common along moist ditches and stream banks, less common in western Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indian children sometimes used the seed clusters as rattles. Page 12: Round Headed Bushclover (Lespedeza capitata) Flowers: June-August Height: Up to 6 feet Leaves: Alternate, compound, each composed of 3 narrow leaflets Flower: Occur in dense rounded heads, creamy white to purple spots may be present at base Habitat: Common in upland prairies and pastures in eastern 2/3 of Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians burned pieces of wet stem on the skin as a counter-irritant to treat rheumatism. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Flowers: July-August Height: Up to 5 feet Leaves: Opposite leaves that are up to 5 inches long and 2 inches wide with sharp teeth Flower : Dense, rounded heads at the top of stems color ranges from white to lavender Habitat: Common throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used boiled leaves to perfume their hair and clothes, and to drink as herbal tea. Page 13: Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) Flowers: July-October Height: Up to 6 feet Leaves: Opposite, widely spaced along stem, narrow and usually toothed. No basal leaves Flower: Many blue flowers which at about 3/4 of an inch tall are located around top 1 foot of the plant Habitat: Upland prairies and road sides. Most common in southwestern part of Nebraska. Interesting Fact: The roots of this highly attractive pollinator plant can descend as much as 6 to 8 feet. Wild Onions (Allium canadense) Flowers: April-June Height: Up to 3 feet Leaves: Whorled, arise directly from the bulb, grow at base of plant Flower: Grow on top of stalk that grows from bulb, white or pink, star-shaped with 6 petals. Replaced by bulblets (seed heads) Habitat: Found on prairies, range land, and roadsides throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians ate the bulbs and made tea from them to control coughs and vomiting. Page 14: Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) Flowers: June-October Height: 6 inches to 1 foot Leaves: 3 inches long and divided into 4 lobes giving them a band-like appearance Flower: Bright pink and purple cup shaped with 5 petals, 2-2.5 inches wide Habitat: Found throughout Nebraska but less common in western Nebraska Traditional Uses: The Lakota and Dakota tribes burned the dried roots and inhaled the smoke to treat colds. Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) Flowers: June-August Height: 0.5-2 feet Leaves: Hairy or rough above, smoother on the undersides Flower: Mature heads are curved giving them the shape of an eyebrow Habitat: In dry prairies throughout Nebraska, less common in the east Page 15: Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) Flowers: June-August Height: Around 3 feet Leaves: Up to 12 inches long, less than 1/4 inch wide, long pointed tips. Smooth undersides, rough on top Flowers: Clusters in two rows along one side of upper stem. In full bloom, stamen are bright red to orange Habitat: Common throughout Nebraska in open grassland and woodland clearings Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) Flowers: April-June Height: 4-6 inches tall, forms mats 5-12 inches wide Leaves: 1/8 inch wide, up to 6 inches long, smooth Flower: Female flowers are burrs that are hidden among the leaves, male flowers have 1-3 spikes on erect stems Habitat: Often dominant in western Nebraska Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) Flowers: August-October Height: 3-7 feet Leaves: Each leaf has a pair of tooth-like, narrow pointed lobes where the leaf blade joins the stem that are usually red to yellow Flower: Heads are narrow, elongate, and chestnut brown at first and fade to gray or brown Habitat: Found throughout Nebraska. Often a dominant species in prairies Page 16: Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Flowers: Midsummer-Fall Height: Up to 4 feet Leaves: Up to 12 inches long and less than 1/4 inch wide Flower: Scattered along the upper stalks, identifiable by their feather like appearance Habitat: Found statewide in prairie habitats ranging from extremely dry to moist Interesting Fact: Little Bluestem is the Nebraska state grass, as well as a bunchgrass - meaning that many stems arise from one set of fine, fibrous roots. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Flowers: July-October Height: Generally 3-6 feet, but up to 9 feet Leaves : Up to 12 inches long, less than 1/4 inch wide. Turn bronze at first frost Flower: Known for their "turkey foot" shape Habitat: Found statewide. Often a dominant species in prairies Traditional Uses: American Indians used Big Bluestem to treat digestive problems. Page 17: Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) Flowers: June-October Height: Up to 10 feet Leaves: Flat, thick, rough on edges, tops are ridged. Alternate Flower: 10-20 spikes attached to main stem, each having up to 40 spikelets that grow in 2 rows away from the stem Habitat: Throughout Nebraska in ditches and wet prairies Traditional Uses: American Indians and early settlers used Prairie Cordgrass for thatching and fuel. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Flowers: July-September Height: Up to 6 feet Leaves: Approximately 18 inches long and 3/4 inch wide, flat to somewhat rolled inward Flower: Tiny, grow in bunches at tops of branches, bud-like Habitat: Lowland prairies and other moist areas throughout Nebraska Interesting Fact: Popular as an ornamental grass. Page 18: Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) Flowers: July-October Height: Usually less than 2.5 feet Leaves: Up to 20 inches long and very narrow, less than 1/8 inch wide. Usually rolled up lengthwise. Dense tufts of these narrow leaves are distinctive of this grass Flower: Flowers are pink to brown to black. Heads have a strong waxy smell and produce small, round or spherical-shaped seeds Habitat: Common in upland prairies in eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians made flour from the seeds of Prairie Dropseed plants. Porcupine Grass (Stipa spartea) Flowers: June-July Height: Up to 4 feet Leaves: Long, slender often with a slight roll length wise, 2.5 feet long and 1/8 inch wide Habitat: Commonly found on open hillsides and prairies, often one of the dominant species of upland prairies in north central and eastern Nebraska Interesting Fact: Due to its long, sharp seeds, Porcupine Grass is also called Needle-and-Thread. Page 19: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) Flowers: May Height: Up to 3 feet Leaves: Alternate, toothed, short hair on the underside Flower: Small and white, occur in dense, rounded clusters at ends of stalks. Flowers have a light, sweet scent Habitat: Dry prairies and on road sides in eastern-most Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians and settlers used the plant as a tea and to tan animal hides. Tall Cinquefoil (Drymocallis arguta) Flowers: June-August Height: 2-4 feet Leaves: Pinnately compound, leaflets green and hairy above and below. Most leaves basal, a few form on the stem Flower: Clusters of 2-6 flowers. 1/2 inch wide, form at tip of stem, white. Fruits are tiny brown achenes (a sunflower seed is also an achene). Habitat: Common in dry prairies, open woods, and along roadsides Page 20: Wild Prairie Rose (Rosa arkansana) Flowers: May-June Height: Less than 2 feet tall Leaves: Alternate, compound leaves with 3-7 oval leaflets about 2 inches long Flower: Pale pink, 2.5-3 inches wide with yellow stamen Habitat: Found in prairies state wide, most abundant rose in Nebraska Cobaea Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea) Flowers: May-June Height: Generally 1-2 feet, but can grow up to 3 feet Leaves: Paired leaves which are generally thick, smaller towards top of plant Flower: Large and tubular with an "dragon's mouth" shape, generally white or pale pink Habitat: Dry, rocky, open prairies, eroded pastures and hill sides Traditional Uses: American Indians used Cobaea Penstemon to relieve toothaches.
A wayside interprets information about native prairie plants in front of open prairie with trees in the background.
A guide to several native plants of the tallgrass prairie is seen in front of prairie grasses and trees. It reads: "Page 1- Who Grows There? NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Homestead National Historical Park protects 100 acres of restored tallgrass prairie. It is the second oldest restoration project of its kind in the United States of America, and is an ongoing project that began in 1939. The decision was made to restore the Freeman Homestead to prairie in order to provide a visual link to what the early settlers would have seen as they traveled west. Prairie ecosystems like Homestead's are extremely rare. In fact, native grassland is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Tallgrass prairie once covered over 170 million acres in the United States, but today less than 4% remains. The Homestead Act of 1862 had a huge impact on the fate of the tallgrass region because much of the regions' fertile soil was converted to cropland as settlers moved west. It is important to protect what remains of this fragile ecosystem. The extensive root system created by grasses and other prairie plants prevents soil erosion, water runoff and helps create the rich, nutrient dense soil that is so good for farming. Furthermore, there are many plants, animals and insects living in the tallgrass prairie that cannot survive in any other habitat. Therefore, as the tallgrass prairie becomes increasingly rare, so do the animals, plants and insects that call the tallgrass prairie home. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy this rare natural resource and please take a moment to learn about some of the native plants that can be found in the prairie! Page 2- Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaco) Flowers: June-August Height: 3-4 feet Leaves: Broad, opposite Flower: 24-140 individual pink-purple flowers in round clusters Fruits: 2-4 inches bumpy pods filled with a cotton-like material attached to a seed Habitat: Common in eastern half of Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians cooked the young shoots and ate them as an asparagus-like food. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) Flowers: June-October Height: 2 feet Leaves: Extremely slender Flower: Petals range from white to slightly green and the flowers grow in clusters of about 20 Habitat: Abundant in native prairies, pastures and roadsides of Nebraska Traditional Uses: Some American Indian tribes used this plant to treat snakebites and nose and throat ailments. Page 3 - White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) Flowers: June-September Height: Up to 3 feet Leaves: Wooly, stalkless, alternate Flower: Heads are small green clusters near the end of stems, among leaves Habitat: Dry prairies throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used White Sage for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. Heath Aster (Aster ericoides) Flowers: August-October Height: 3 feet Leaves: Alternate, small clusters Flower: White petals around a yellow disk Habitat: Abundant in moist to dry prairies and along roadsides throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used Heath Aster in sweat baths and it was used medicinally to revive unconscious patients. Pages 4- False Boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides) Flowers: August-October Height: 1.5-3.5 feet Leaves: Alternate, toothed or smooth Flower: Heads cylindrical and clustered on top of stem, white to yellow Habitat: Common in prairies and bromegrass fields throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians in the Southwest used the roots of False Boneset to treat coughs and swelling. Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) Flowers: August-October Height: 3.3-10 feet Leaves: Opposite near base of plant Flower: Yellow ray flowers on individual stalks with 10-15 per plant Habitat: Common throughout central and eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: The tubers are edible, and American Indians collected them for food. Page 5: Hairy Hawkweed (Hieracium longipilum) Flowers: July-August Height: Close to 3 feet Leaves: Mostly at the base of the plant, up to 12 inches long and 1.5 inches wide Flower: Similar to Dandelion flowers, yellow with many rays Habitat: Found in prairies in southeast Nebraska Traditional Uses: The common name comes from the ancient belief that hawks consumed this plant to improve their eyesight. Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) Flowers: August-September Height: Approximately 4 feet Leaves: Alternate, smooth edges Flower: Heads are alternate along upper stem, each head has a series of overlapping bracts with white to purple tips Habitat: Common in prairies in the eastern half of Nebraska Traditional Uses: Some American Indian tribes used the boiled leaves and roots to treat intestinal pains Pages 6: Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) Flowers: July-September Height: 1.5-3 feet Leaves: Up to 4 inches long, leaf folded lengthwise nearly to the middle Flower: Petals are yellow to redbrown, some with a narrow yellow band around edge, disk is columnar and rounded Habitat: Common throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used the leaves and stems to treat poison ivy, rattlesnake bites, headaches, and stomach aches. Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) Flowers: July-August Height: 3-8 feet Leaves: Usually oriented north-south, alternate grow up to 1 foot long Flower: Bright yellow, 2.5-4.5 inches wide, ray-like petals Habitat: Found in moist prairies in eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: The resin from Compass Plants was used by American Indian children as a chewing gum. Page 7: Late Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) Flowers: August-October Height: 3-7 feet Leaves: Up to 5 inches long and about 3/4 inch wide Flower: 10-17 tiny yellow ray flowers on an arching flower stalk Habitat: Common throughout Nebraska Interesting Fact: Ida Brockman, writer and daughter of a Nebraska State Representative, said of the Nebraska state flower "has a long season, and nothing better could represent the hardy endurance of Nebraska's pioneers." Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) Flowers: June-August Height: 3-4 feet Leaves: Broad, alternate, growing up to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide Flower: 7-14 yellow rays arranged in a flat topped cluster at the top of the plant Habitat: Found statewide in dry prairies and road sides, and can grow on soils ranging from dense and heavy to light and sandy Traditional Uses: The flowers were once used to make a lotion to treat bee stings Page 8: Baldwin's Ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) Flowers: July-September Height: Up to 5 feet Leaves: Simple, with either no stalk or very short stalks, serrated edges Flower: Grow in rounded or flat topped branching clusters at tops of plants Habitat: Common throughout central and eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians made a broth from the roots to treat fevers, toothache, menstrual pain, and pain during childbirth. Prairie Spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata) Flowers: May-June Height: 8-16 inches Leaves: Uppermost leaves are furry, alternate and simple Flower: Blue to lavender, 3 petals, flower heads 1-1.5 inches wide, 6 yellow stamen Habitat: Moist prairies, roadsides and disturbed sites in eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: The Lakota Indians made a jelly-like paint from the flowers, which was used for decorative purposes. Page 9: Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) Flowers: June-July Height: 1-3 feet Leaves: Compound, alternate that may be divided into as many as 51 narrow leaflets. Gray and hairy Flower: Small flowers are purple with orange stamen. Organized in several dense spike-like clusters Habitat: Abundant on prairie hills and roadsides throughout most of Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used the dried leaves of the Lead Plant to make tea or to smoke with a pipe. Canadian Milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis) Flowers: May-August Height: Up to 5 feet Leaves: Alternate, compound, each leaf composed of 13-31 oblong leaflets Flower: Green to white, growing in elongate clusters at top of plant Fruits: Round, bean-like pods less than 1 inch long Habitat: Moist prairies, stream banks and open woodland throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: The roots could be prepared to treat cough, loss of appetite, and chest and back pain. Page 10: Plains Wild Indigo (Baptisia leucophaea) Flowers: May-June Height: 1-3 feet Leaves: The leaves are alternate 1.5-4 inches long and divided into 3 distinct segments Flower: Pale yellow, similar to a pea flower. Develops large seed pod Habitat: Common in prairies in southeast Nebraska Traditional Uses: The Pawnee Indians treated colic by rubbing a mixture of crushed Wild Indigo seeds and bison fat on the abdomen. Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) Flowers: July-October Height: Up to 3.5 feet Leaves: Alternate, compound, divided into as many as 20 pairs of leaflets. Each leaflet is narrow and less than 1 inch long Flower: Bright yellow, up to 1.5 inches wide, 5 petals with dark red stamen Habitat: Common in the eastern half of Nebraska in moist, disturbed ground and disturbed upland prairies Traditional Uses: American Indians used Partridge pea as a tea given for fainting spells.
A wayside interprets information about native prairie plants in front of open prairie with trees in the background.
Page 10: Plains Wild Indigo (Baptisia leucophaea) Flowers: May-June Height: 1-3 feet Leaves: The leaves are alternate 1.5-4 inches long and divided into 3 distinct segments Flower: Pale yellow, similar to a pea flower. Develops large seed pod Habitat: Common in prairies in southeast Nebraska Traditional Uses: The Pawnee Indians treated colic by rubbing a mixture of crushed Wild Indigo seeds and bison fat on the abdomen. Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) Flowers: July-October Height: Up to 3.5 feet Leaves: Alternate, compound, divided into as many as 20 pairs of leaflets. Each leaflet is narrow and less than 1 inch long Flower: Bright yellow, up to 1.5 inches wide, 5 petals with dark red stamen Habitat: Common in the eastern half of Nebraska in moist, disturbed ground and disturbed upland prairies Traditional Uses: American Indians used Partridge pea as a tea given for fainting spells. Page 11: White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) Flowers: May-September Height: Less than 2.5 feet Leaves: Dull green, alternate and compound Flower: Dense, cylindrical spikes encircled by a wreath of tiny flowers Habitat: Most common in the tallgrass prairies in eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians brewed the leaves into a tea and ate the roots. Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) Flowers: June-July Height: 3-5 feet Leaves: Alternate, doubly compound, with each leaf having branches which are themselves divided into leaflets Flower: White, small, forms a spherical head at ends of stalks Habitat: Common along moist ditches and stream banks, less common in western Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indian children sometimes used the seed clusters as rattles. Page 12: Round Headed Bushclover (Lespedeza capitata) Flowers: June-August Height: Up to 6 feet Leaves: Alternate, compound, each composed of 3 narrow leaflets Flower: Occur in dense rounded heads, creamy white to purple spots may be present at base Habitat: Common in upland prairies and pastures in eastern 2/3 of Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians burned pieces of wet stem on the skin as a counter-irritant to treat rheumatism. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Flowers: July-August Height: Up to 5 feet Leaves: Opposite leaves that are up to 5 inches long and 2 inches wide with sharp teeth Flower : Dense, rounded heads at the top of stems color ranges from white to lavender Habitat: Common throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used boiled leaves to perfume their hair and clothes, and to drink as herbal tea. Page 13: Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) Flowers: July-October Height: Up to 6 feet Leaves: Opposite, widely spaced along stem, narrow and usually toothed. No basal leaves Flower: Many blue flowers which at about 3/4 of an inch tall are located around top 1 foot of the plant Habitat: Upland prairies and road sides. Most common in southwestern part of Nebraska. Interesting Fact: The roots of this highly attractive pollinator plant can descend as much as 6 to 8 feet. Wild Onions (Allium canadense) Flowers: April-June Height: Up to 3 feet Leaves: Whorled, arise directly from the bulb, grow at base of plant Flower: Grow on top of stalk that grows from bulb, white or pink, star-shaped with 6 petals. Replaced by bulblets (seed heads) Habitat: Found on prairies, range land, and roadsides throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians ate the bulbs and made tea from them to control coughs and vomiting. Page 14: Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) Flowers: June-October Height: 6 inches to 1 foot Leaves: 3 inches long and divided into 4 lobes giving them a band-like appearance Flower: Bright pink and purple cup shaped with 5 petals, 2-2.5 inches wide Habitat: Found throughout Nebraska but less common in western Nebraska Traditional Uses: The Lakota and Dakota tribes burned the dried roots and inhaled the smoke to treat colds. Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) Flowers: June-August Height: 0.5-2 feet Leaves: Hairy or rough above, smoother on the undersides Flower: Mature heads are curved giving them the shape of an eyebrow Habitat: In dry prairies throughout Nebraska, less common in the east Page 15: Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) Flowers: June-August Height: Around 3 feet Leaves: Up to 12 inches long, less than 1/4 inch wide, long pointed tips. Smooth undersides, rough on top Flowers: Clusters in two rows along one side of upper stem. In full bloom, stamen are bright red to orange Habitat: Common throughout Nebraska in open grassland and woodland clearings Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) Flowers: April-June Height: 4-6 inches tall, forms mats 5-12 inches wide Leaves: 1/8 inch wide, up to 6 inches long, smooth Flower: Female flowers are burrs that are hidden among the leaves, male flowers have 1-3 spikes on erect stems Habitat: Often dominant in western Nebraska Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) Flowers: August-October Height: 3-7 feet Leaves: Each leaf has a pair of tooth-like, narrow pointed lobes where the leaf blade joins the stem that are usually red to yellow Flower: Heads are narrow, elongate, and chestnut brown at first and fade to gray or brown Habitat: Found throughout Nebraska. Often a dominant species in prairies Page 16: Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Flowers: Midsummer-Fall Height: Up to 4 feet Leaves: Up to 12 inches long and less than 1/4 inch wide Flower: Scattered along the upper stalks, identifiable by their feather like appearance Habitat: Found statewide in prairie habitats ranging from extremely dry to moist Interesting Fact: Little Bluestem is the Nebraska state grass, as well as a bunchgrass - meaning that many stems arise from one set of fine, fibrous roots. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Flowers: July-October Height: Generally 3-6 feet, but up to 9 feet Leaves : Up to 12 inches long, less than 1/4 inch wide. Turn bronze at first frost Flower: Known for their "turkey foot" shape Habitat: Found statewide. Often a dominant species in prairies Traditional Uses: American Indians used Big Bluestem to treat digestive problems. Page 17: Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) Flowers: June-October Height: Up to 10 feet Leaves: Flat, thick, rough on edges, tops are ridged. Alternate Flower: 10-20 spikes attached to main stem, each having up to 40 spikelets that grow in 2 rows away from the stem Habitat: Throughout Nebraska in ditches and wet prairies Traditional Uses: American Indians and early settlers used Prairie Cordgrass for thatching and fuel. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Flowers: July-September Height: Up to 6 feet Leaves: Approximately 18 inches long and 3/4 inch wide, flat to somewhat rolled inward Flower: Tiny, grow in bunches at tops of branches, bud-like Habitat: Lowland prairies and other moist areas throughout Nebraska Interesting Fact: Popular as an ornamental grass. Page 18: Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) Flowers: July-October Height: Usually less than 2.5 feet Leaves: Up to 20 inches long and very narrow, less than 1/8 inch wide. Usually rolled up lengthwise. Dense tufts of these narrow leaves are distinctive of this grass Flower: Flowers are pink to brown to black. Heads have a strong waxy smell and produce small, round or spherical-shaped seeds Habitat: Common in upland prairies in eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians made flour from the seeds of Prairie Dropseed plants. Porcupine Grass (Stipa spartea) Flowers: June-July Height: Up to 4 feet Leaves: Long, slender often with a slight roll length wise, 2.5 feet long and 1/8 inch wide Habitat: Commonly found on open hillsides and prairies, often one of the dominant species of upland prairies in north central and eastern Nebraska Interesting Fact: Due to its long, sharp seeds, Porcupine Grass is also called Needle-and-Thread. Page 19: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) Flowers: May Height: Up to 3 feet Leaves: Alternate, toothed, short hair on the underside Flower: Small and white, occur in dense, rounded clusters at ends of stalks. Flowers have a light, sweet scent Habitat: Dry prairies and on road sides in eastern-most Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians and settlers used the plant as a tea and to tan animal hides. Tall Cinquefoil (Drymocallis arguta) Flowers: June-August Height: 2-4 feet Leaves: Pinnately compound, leaflets green and hairy above and below. Most leaves basal, a few form on the stem Flower: Clusters of 2-6 flowers. 1/2 inch wide, form at tip of stem, white. Fruits are tiny brown achenes (a sunflower seed is also an achene). Habitat: Common in dry prairies, open woods, and along roadsides Page 20: Wild Prairie Rose (Rosa arkansana) Flowers: May-June Height: Less than 2 feet tall Leaves: Alternate, compound leaves with 3-7 oval leaflets about 2 inches long Flower: Pale pink, 2.5-3 inches wide with yellow stamen Habitat: Found in prairies state wide, most abundant rose in Nebraska Cobaea Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea) Flowers: May-June Height: Generally 1-2 feet, but can grow up to 3 feet Leaves: Paired leaves which are generally thick, smaller towards top of plant Flower: Large and tubular with an "dragon's mouth" shape, generally white or pale pink Habitat: Dry, rocky, open prairies, eroded pastures and hill sides Traditional Uses: American Indians used Cobaea Penstemon to relieve toothaches.
A wayside interprets information about native prairie plants in front of open prairie with trees in the background.
A guide to several native plants of the tallgrass prairie is seen in front of prairie grasses and trees. It reads: "Page 1- Who Grows There? NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Homestead National Historical Park protects 100 acres of restored tallgrass prairie. It is the second oldest restoration project of its kind in the United States of America, and is an ongoing project that began in 1939. The decision was made to restore the Freeman Homestead to prairie in order to provide a visual link to what the early settlers would have seen as they traveled west. Prairie ecosystems like Homestead's are extremely rare. In fact, native grassland is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Tallgrass prairie once covered over 170 million acres in the United States, but today less than 4% remains. The Homestead Act of 1862 had a huge impact on the fate of the tallgrass region because much of the regions' fertile soil was converted to cropland as settlers moved west. It is important to protect what remains of this fragile ecosystem. The extensive root system created by grasses and other prairie plants prevents soil erosion, water runoff and helps create the rich, nutrient dense soil that is so good for farming. Furthermore, there are many plants, animals and insects living in the tallgrass prairie that cannot survive in any other habitat. Therefore, as the tallgrass prairie becomes increasingly rare, so do the animals, plants and insects that call the tallgrass prairie home. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy this rare natural resource and please take a moment to learn about some of the native plants that can be found in the prairie! Page 2- Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaco) Flowers: June-August Height: 3-4 feet Leaves: Broad, opposite Flower: 24-140 individual pink-purple flowers in round clusters Fruits: 2-4 inches bumpy pods filled with a cotton-like material attached to a seed Habitat: Common in eastern half of Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians cooked the young shoots and ate them as an asparagus-like food. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) Flowers: June-October Height: 2 feet Leaves: Extremely slender Flower: Petals range from white to slightly green and the flowers grow in clusters of about 20 Habitat: Abundant in native prairies, pastures and roadsides of Nebraska Traditional Uses: Some American Indian tribes used this plant to treat snakebites and nose and throat ailments. Page 3 - White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) Flowers: June-September Height: Up to 3 feet Leaves: Wooly, stalkless, alternate Flower: Heads are small green clusters near the end of stems, among leaves Habitat: Dry prairies throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used White Sage for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. Heath Aster (Aster ericoides) Flowers: August-October Height: 3 feet Leaves: Alternate, small clusters Flower: White petals around a yellow disk Habitat: Abundant in moist to dry prairies and along roadsides throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used Heath Aster in sweat baths and it was used medicinally to revive unconscious patients. Pages 4- False Boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides) Flowers: August-October Height: 1.5-3.5 feet Leaves: Alternate, toothed or smooth Flower: Heads cylindrical and clustered on top of stem, white to yellow Habitat: Common in prairies and bromegrass fields throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians in the Southwest used the roots of False Boneset to treat coughs and swelling. Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) Flowers: August-October Height: 3.3-10 feet Leaves: Opposite near base of plant Flower: Yellow ray flowers on individual stalks with 10-15 per plant Habitat: Common throughout central and eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: The tubers are edible, and American Indians collected them for food. Page 5: Hairy Hawkweed (Hieracium longipilum) Flowers: July-August Height: Close to 3 feet Leaves: Mostly at the base of the plant, up to 12 inches long and 1.5 inches wide Flower: Similar to Dandelion flowers, yellow with many rays Habitat: Found in prairies in southeast Nebraska Traditional Uses: The common name comes from the ancient belief that hawks consumed this plant to improve their eyesight. Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) Flowers: August-September Height: Approximately 4 feet Leaves: Alternate, smooth edges Flower: Heads are alternate along upper stem, each head has a series of overlapping bracts with white to purple tips Habitat: Common in prairies in the eastern half of Nebraska Traditional Uses: Some American Indian tribes used the boiled leaves and roots to treat intestinal pains Pages 6: Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) Flowers: July-September Height: 1.5-3 feet Leaves: Up to 4 inches long, leaf folded lengthwise nearly to the middle Flower: Petals are yellow to redbrown, some with a narrow yellow band around edge, disk is columnar and rounded Habitat: Common throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used the leaves and stems to treat poison ivy, rattlesnake bites, headaches, and stomach aches. Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) Flowers: July-August Height: 3-8 feet Leaves: Usually oriented north-south, alternate grow up to 1 foot long Flower: Bright yellow, 2.5-4.5 inches wide, ray-like petals Habitat: Found in moist prairies in eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: The resin from Compass Plants was used by American Indian children as a chewing gum. Page 7: Late Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) Flowers: August-October Height: 3-7 feet Leaves: Up to 5 inches long and about 3/4 inch wide Flower: 10-17 tiny yellow ray flowers on an arching flower stalk Habitat: Common throughout Nebraska Interesting Fact: Ida Brockman, writer and daughter of a Nebraska State Representative, said of the Nebraska state flower "has a long season, and nothing better could represent the hardy endurance of Nebraska's pioneers." Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) Flowers: June-August Height: 3-4 feet Leaves: Broad, alternate, growing up to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide Flower: 7-14 yellow rays arranged in a flat topped cluster at the top of the plant Habitat: Found statewide in dry prairies and road sides, and can grow on soils ranging from dense and heavy to light and sandy Traditional Uses: The flowers were once used to make a lotion to treat bee stings Page 8: Baldwin's Ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) Flowers: July-September Height: Up to 5 feet Leaves: Simple, with either no stalk or very short stalks, serrated edges Flower: Grow in rounded or flat topped branching clusters at tops of plants Habitat: Common throughout central and eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians made a broth from the roots to treat fevers, toothache, menstrual pain, and pain during childbirth. Prairie Spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata) Flowers: May-June Height: 8-16 inches Leaves: Uppermost leaves are furry, alternate and simple Flower: Blue to lavender, 3 petals, flower heads 1-1.5 inches wide, 6 yellow stamen Habitat: Moist prairies, roadsides and disturbed sites in eastern Nebraska Traditional Uses: The Lakota Indians made a jelly-like paint from the flowers, which was used for decorative purposes. Page 9: Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) Flowers: June-July Height: 1-3 feet Leaves: Compound, alternate that may be divided into as many as 51 narrow leaflets. Gray and hairy Flower: Small flowers are purple with orange stamen. Organized in several dense spike-like clusters Habitat: Abundant on prairie hills and roadsides throughout most of Nebraska Traditional Uses: American Indians used the dried leaves of the Lead Plant to make tea or to smoke with a pipe. Canadian Milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis) Flowers: May-August Height: Up to 5 feet Leaves: Alternate, compound, each leaf composed of 13-31 oblong leaflets Flower: Green to white, growing in elongate clusters at top of plant Fruits: Round, bean-like pods less than 1 inch long Habitat: Moist prairies, stream banks and open woodland throughout Nebraska Traditional Uses: The roots could be prepared to treat cough, loss of appetite, and chest and back pain. Page 10: Plains Wild Indigo (Baptisia leucophaea) Flowers: May-June Height: 1-3 feet Leaves: The leaves are alternate 1.5-4 inches long and divided into 3 distinct segments Flower: Pale yellow, similar to a pea flower. Develops large seed pod Habitat: Common in prairies in southeast Nebraska Traditional Uses: The Pawnee Indians treated colic by rubbing a mixture of crushed Wild Indigo seeds and bison fat on the abdomen. Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) Flowers: July-October Height: Up to 3.5 feet Leaves: Alternate, compound, divided into as many as 20 pairs of leaflets. Each leaflet is narrow and less than 1 inch long Flower: Bright yellow, up to 1.5 inches wide, 5 petals with dark red stamen Habitat: Common in the eastern half of Nebraska in moist, disturbed ground and disturbed upland prairies Traditional Uses: American Indians used Partridge pea as a tea given for fainting spells.
Early winnowing machines reduced the human labor required to prepare grains for use or consumption.
Sign behind a machine of wood and metal construction reads: "Winnowing Once wheat, barley and other grains are harvested and threshed, the straw and chaff are removed in a process called winnowing. In order to do this many farmers utilized a grain fan. In 1737 Andrew Rodger, a farmer on the estate of Cavers in Scotland, developed a winnowing machine for corn, called a 'Fanner'. These were successful and the family sold them throughout Scotland for many years. Some Scottish Presbyterian ministers saw the fanners as sins against God, for wind was a thing specially made by him and an artificial wind was a daring and impious attempt to usurp what belonged to God alone, according to Robert Chambers, in Domestic Annals of Scotland. Grain fans allow grains to be cleaned so they do not clog drill tubes, enable more uniform planting, and permit a better crop stand. How the Grain Fan Operates 1. Grain pours through the top while the crank turns causing the wooden fan blades to blow air across the screens. 2. The grain then drops onto the screens and shifts to the bottom as the air blows the chaff and straw away. 3. Finally, the newly cleaned grain falls into the basket set below the fan and is ready for eating or planting. Provided by the Glen Brinkman Memorial"
The land on which Homestead National Historical Park stands today has water, trees, grass, and good soil. However, water was not easy to find for many early homesteaders. What are some ways an early homesteader could look for water?
Backlit forest with fall leaves and stream with a sign in the foreground reading: "Working for Water The Freemans, like every frontier family, needed water for livestock, crops, laundry, and cooking. The first wave of emigrants settled close to springs and creeks like the one you see here. Farming where water was easy to get offered the best chance for future success. In the mid-1800s, slogans like "rain follows the plow" drew more people to settle on the Great Plains. Growing crops and trees instead of prairie grasses- the optimists thought- would change the climate from dry to wetter. Homesteaders who chose lands without enough surface water had to dig wells- by hand. Ditches moved the precious water to where it was needed most. But digging a well was dangerous and took time away from tending crops and livestock. Industry answered the growing need for water on the plains, first with windmills, and later with deep drilling that could reach down to the aquifers. Today center-pivot irrigation makes it possible to farm lands that otherwise could not produce crops. Windmills arrived in Nebraska in the 1880s. Homesteaders had to get water to livestock and crops no matter how much effort it took. By the 1880s, drilling rigs could punch a well faster and deeper than ever before. From the air today you can see the circles of center-pivot irrigation all across the Great Plains. The Toro Giving Program and Exmark Manufacturing recognize the National Park Service with the gift of this exhibit."
Homestead National Historical Park uses the Education Center to provide today's visitors the opportunity to meet their quest for further knowledge about homesteading through hands-on arts and crafts or living history demonstrations, real life science experiences, and distance learning. The Education Center also hosts many temporary exhibits and special programs. Talk to the Ranger in the Education Building (or at the Heritage Center) about these opportunities.
This National Park site houses the National Homesteading Museum. State-of-the-art exhibits present homesteading in an interactive setting. Such topics as the Act's influence on immigration, agriculture, industrialization, native tribes, the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, and Federal land policies are presented in an educational and thought-provoking manner. The hours listed below generally include the Homestead Education Center, Freeman School, and Palmer-Epard Cabin.
Homestead National Historical Park offers over three miles of trails through the sweeping tallgrass prairie and quiet bur oak woodland for hiking, cross-country skiing, and nature study. Trail maps are available from either visitor center.
Earn your Junior Ranger Badge or Not-so Junior Ranger Pin
Any kid who visits has the chance to be a Homestead Junior Ranger. While visiting the park, stop at the Visitor Center to pick up a booklet filled with both creative and informative activities. As you explore the Park, complete your booklet!
Research Family History
Research the digitized homestead and genealogical records at Homestead National Historical Park.
Follow the Quilt Discovery Experience
Follow the trail to learn more about quilt making and the history of quilts and how they truly are documents of history, reflecting who we were as a nation and a people. While some quilts were packed as treasures in trunks, others were kept close at hand for daily use. They served a variety of purposes not only on the trip west, but also once the pioneers arrived at their destination.
Watch Land of Dreams Film
Watch the 23-minute film Land of Dreams: Homesteading America
Discover More at the Homestead Education Center
The Homestead Education Center provides you the opportunity further your knowledge about homesteading through hands-on arts and crafts, living history demonstrations, real life science experiences, and exploring farm implements.
Get Started at the Homestead Heritage Center
This multipurpose facility brings the epic homestead story to life for visitors of all ages and demonstrates the true scope and importance of the Homestead Act of 1862.
Explore the Museum Exhibits
Learn about the Homestead Act of 1862 and the impacts it had around the world.
View Wildlife at the Prairie Plaza
Homestead's prairie plaza is the perfect spot to picnic and view wildlife.
Tours
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Self-Guided Park Tour
Explore the trails and grounds of Homestead National Historical Park to learn more about the impacts of the Homestead Act of 1862.
