Homestead National Monument

This is the site of the very first homestead granted under the landmark Homestead Act of 1862. It opened much of the western US to settlers who were given land if they made it productive. The pioneering Freeman family is buried here and you can see their reconstructed log house. The heritage center is a striking building with good displays. The pretty site is 4 miles west of Beatrice, and 35 miles south of Lincoln via US 77.