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Ash Hollow
State Historical Park
Ash Hollow Nebraska.JPG
Ash Hollow State Historical Park is located in Nebraska
Ash Hollow State Historical Park
Ash Hollow
State Historical Park
Location in Nebraska
Ash Hollow State Historical Park is located in the United States
Ash Hollow State Historical Park
Ash Hollow
State Historical Park
Location in the United States
Location Garden County, Nebraska, United States
Nearest town Lewellen, Nebraska
Area 1,001.03 acres (405.10 ha)
Elevation 3,363 ft (1,025 m)
Designation Nebraska state historical park
Established 1962
Administrator Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Website Ash Hollow State Historical Park
Ash Hollow Cave
Location Garden County, Nebraska, USA, near Lewellen, Nebraska
Area 8.9 acres (3.6 ha)
NRHP reference No. 66000445
Significant dates
Added to NRHP October 15, 1966
Designated NHL July 19, 1964

Ash Hollow State Historical Park is a special place in Nebraska. It's about 5 miles south of Lewellen in Garden County. This park has two main parts that are about 2.5 miles apart: Ash Hollow Cave and Windlass Hill. Both areas tell amazing stories about history and nature.

Discovering Ash Hollow Cave's Past

Ash Hollow Cave was a popular spot for people long ago. A natural spring nearby provided fresh water. This made it a great place for different groups of people to live and visit over many centuries.

Ancient Cultures at the Cave

Archaeologists have explored Ash Hollow Cave. They found proof that at least four different Native American cultures lived here. These groups used the cave as a base camp. From here, they would go hunting and gather food.

  • The Apache people lived here from about A.D. 1675 to 1725.
  • The Central Plains tradition people were here from A.D. 900 to 1450.
  • The Woodland tradition people lived here from A.D. 0 to 1100.
  • The Late Archaic tradition people were the earliest, from 1000 B.C. to A.D. 500.

A Sad Moment in History

In the early 18th century, the Lakota Sioux people mostly lived in this area. A very sad event happened near here in September 1855. It is known as the Ash Hollow Massacre. The United States Army, with about 600 soldiers, attacked a camp of Brule Sioux. Many people, including women and children, lost their lives. Others were taken captive. This attack happened because of an event in 1854 near Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

Protecting Ash Hollow's History

In 1962, the area became a Nebraska state park. This helped protect its important history. Ash Hollow Cave was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1964. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. In 1975, the area around it was named the Ash Hollow Historic District. A visitor center was built in 1978. It offers great views of the canyon and helps people learn more about the park.

Windlass Hill: A Trailblazer's Challenge

Windlass Hill is another important part of Ash Hollow State Historical Park. It was a famous spot along the Oregon and California Trail. These trails were used by pioneers traveling west in covered wagons.

The Steep Descent

Windlass Hill marked the entrance from the high plains down into the Ash Hollow area. From there, travelers could reach the North Platte River valley. Going down the hill was very difficult for the pioneers. It was a steep, 25-degree slope that went down for about 300 feet. Wagon ruts, which are marks left by the wagons, can still be seen on the hill today. These ruts show where thousands of wagons once passed.

The Mystery of the Name

The pioneers themselves did not use the name "Windlass Hill." No one is quite sure where the name came from. It's a small mystery about this historic spot.

Ash Hollow Nebraska
Ash Hollow State Historical Park
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