Ash Hollow State Historical Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ash HollowState Historical Park |
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 Ash Hollow
State Historical Park Location in Nebraska
Ash Hollow
State Historical Park Location in the United States
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| 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 |
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Ash Hollow Cave
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| 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.
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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.
