Life Without Trees, wayside exhibit

How might you prove up a homestead if you had no trees?

NPS/Robert Hartwig

Quick Facts

Location:

Homestead National Historical Park

Designation:

wayside exhibit

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information

Nebraska had very few trees when Daniel Freeman became America's first homesteader. As the first, he had the foresight to chose land for his homestead on the Cub Creek, thus offering him running water and the wood provided by this unique lowland burr oak forest. 

Many early homesteaders were not so lucky! Imagine difficulties endured by early inhabitants of prairie grasslands. How might you have build shelter?