Sandhills
N 41° 58.923 W 100° 32.224
14T E 372666 N 4648925
Sand dunes covering neary 25% of Nebraska are scenic and topographically unique. Cattlemen began commercial grazing operations in the 1870s.
Waymark Code: WM3RAD
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 05/10/2008
Views: 21
The Sandhills, Nebraska's most unique physiographic feature, covers about one-fourth of the state. The sandy soil acts like a giant sponge, soaking up rain and forming a vast underground reservoir. Hundreds of permanent lakes are found here. However, the same sandy soil makes the area unsuitable for cultivation. Grasses flourish, making the Sandhills ideal cattle country.
Although the Sandhills were long considered "an irreclaimable desert," cattlemen had begun to discover the Sandhills' potential as range land by the early 1870's. Huge ranches were established here.
Unsuccessful attempts at farming were made in the Sandhills region in the late 1870's and again around 1890. The Kinkaid Act of 1904 allowed homesteaders to claim a full section of land, rather than the quarter-section previously allowed. Nearly nine million acres were successfully claimed by "Kinkaiders" between 1910 and 1917. Some of the Kinkaiders attempted to farm, but most of these attempts failed. Many of the largest ranches broke up about the same time due to regulations against fencing federal range. Today the Sandhills contain many ranches, but none so large as those of the past.
Historical Land Mark Council
Nebr. 2 & US 83, east of Thedford
Thomas County
Marker 63
Marker Name: THE SANDHILLS
Roadside: yes
Web Address if available:: [Web Link]
City: Not Listed
Other: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Post Pictures:
1. Close up of historical marker
2. Picture of surrounding area (would prefer to have the marker in the picture also). Thanks!