Heritage Highway
Homestead National Monument of America, NE

The Homestead National Monument of America is located four miles NE of Beatrice on Highway 4. This monument celebrates the Homestead Act of 1862 signed by Abraham Lincoln which enabled citizens to claim 160 acres of land, provided that they build a dwelling and grow crops. The land then belonged to the settler, provided that they could weather five years on the land. This act began what is known as the Homesteading Era (1862 - 1936). The Act remained effective into the mid 1980's, although most homesteading took place before 1940. The monument stands as a memorial to those homesteaders who left their mark on the Nebraska land and American history.

The area that the Homestead National Monument now rests on is the original 160-acres of land claimed by Daniel Freeman, a Union scout. He is considered one of the first to claim land under the Homestead Act because he convinced a Brownville land agent to let him sign up shortly after midnight on the first day the act was opened, January 1, 1863.

On the site is a homestead cabin typical to the southeastern part of Nebraska, a restored frontier school, and more than 100 acres of tallgrass praire and other native plants and flowers. A visitor center near the monument entrance features displays and videotape programs. Hiking and cross-country skiing are permitted.