Homestead National Monument - Beatrice, Nebraska - Ranger Stations on Waymarking.com

In the midst of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law The Homestead Act of 1862. While the country was tearing itself apart, the President and Congress of the United States had the foresight enact legislation that would see us into the next century, the foundation of expanding from sea to shining sea.

Operating Hours & Seasons

The Monument is closed on the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Visitors Center Hours:
Summer Season: (Memorial Day to Labor Day) 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fall, Winter and Spring Seasons: (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The trail system and grounds are open from dawn to dusk every day.

Phone (402) 223-3514

Address:
8523 W. State Hwy. 4
Beatrice, NE 68310

---

History

At 12:10 a.m. on January 1, 1863, Daniel Freeman became the first person to file a claim underneath the Homestead Act of 1862. The property his claim would be is the current Homestead National Park.

On March 19, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the new National Monument on the property once owned by Daniel Freeman. The Executive Order creating the park states:

"...lay out said land in a suitable and enduring manner so that the same may be maintained as an appropriate monument to retain for posterity a proper memorial emblematical of the hardships and the pioneer life through which the early settlers passed in the settlement, cultivation and civilization of the Great West."

---

Things to do:

• Watch the park film. Laid out in very informative format, you will learn that it was only recently that the homesteading was only recently ended.
• Take a hike. Three miles of trails are on the property. Arrive at the main visitors center, and walk to the museum.

Off Road Directions: Permits: no Maps: yes Public Restrooms: yes Trail Conditions: yes Website if it is available: [Web Link] Hours of Operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm daily

Visit Instructions:
Logs should be accompanied by at least 1 image taken by you at the facility or if you do not have a camera a good description of the Waymark you are visiting.
This will give us proof you were actually there.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   12/22/2022 Don.Morfe visited it 05/05/2016 Dory The Explorer visited it 06/08/2014 merlot visited it 06/23/2012 50 State Redhead visited it

View all visits/logs