After 85 Years, New Name for Iconic Park Near Beatrice

After 85 years, an iconic park near Beatrice has undergone a name change that officials hope will clarify some misconceptions about what’s there. Homestead National Monument of America in Gage County is now officially Homestead National Historical Park. The site is part of the National Park System and commemorates passage of the Homestead Act in 1862.

“We hope that it benefits not only the park visitor by clarifying for them what they might expect to find here, but we also hope that with that, it will increase awareness of the park and from that increased awareness, it will increase visitation and then bring more of an economic value,” Park Superintendent Mark Engler said.

Visitors are sometimes confused that there is no actual monument at the park. Signage at the park has been updated to reflect the name change and road signs on nearby highways are in the process of being changed.