So I just got this email from "my" congressman regarding the Homestead Quarter: Given all the difficulties around the world, sometimes it’s good to take a break and celebrate things happening right here in Nebraska. The Homestead Act, one of the most consequential pieces of legislation ever enacted in the United States, was signed into law in 1862. More than 150 years later we look back and still see its substantive effects on how our society was shaped. Due to the law, about ten percent of United States land was transferred to private ownership. Acquiring property took only an $18 filing fee, a commitment to improve the land, and a dream. There are now an estimated 93 million descendants of homesteaders. Earlier this week in Beatrice, the United States Mint launched a commemorative quarter honoring the Homestead National Monument of America. The coin is part of a series recognizing 56 national parks and other national sites. Homestead National Monument, a special unit of the National Park Service, is a gem of the Midwest and a treasure for all Americans. The monument, located on the site of one of the first homesteads, commemorates the lives and accomplishments of the pioneers. The Monument celebrates the spirit of those hardy, visionary individuals who understood the appeal of life on the plains and who helped to reshape the American landscape. It also honors the first Americans—Native Americans who were the first stewards of our precious resources. Nebraska is forever linked to our homesteading ancestors, who populated this country and imparted to future generations a lasting spirit of courage, tenacity, and achievement. The monument highlights our best traditions—dedication, personal responsibility, and strong family life—while reflecting the vibrancy of rural America. The quarter will serve as a reminder of the Homestead Act of 1862 and the role it continues to play in shaping who we are today. What made the Homestead Act of 1862 such a remarkable public policy success was its recognition of a universal desire to own and keep land and to feel connectedness and belonging to a certain place in a certain time. For so many who otherwise had so little, the Homestead Act created the chance to work hard, sustain the land, and create a new beginning. The release of the coin was the culmination of years of preparation and hard work by Mark Engler, Homestead’s superintendent, and many others in the Beatrice community. Admission to Homestead National Monument of America is free and I encourage everyone to visit this unique site, admire the impressive tallgrass prairie, and enjoy the unique Heritage Center. Sincerely, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry
My family didn't homestead, but I am living on homesteaded land. We also have a 1/4 section that was a timber claim. The original homesteaded planted cottonwoods on all sides to border the property. It's one of my favorite places on this earth. I'm fourth generation on this land and in 5 more years we will have 100 unbroken years as a family here. Rick L.
