Prairie Homestead

Step back in time and discover a real-life preserved homestead on the prairie.

The Prairie Homestead is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and for a good reason. This attraction truly brings history to life. Begin at the visitors center, where you can dress up in pioneer attire during their self-guided tour to the historic sod home. Guests can also watch an informative movie in the visitors center, enjoy the history room, and visit the gift shop that sells homemade bonnets, pioneer clothes, antiques, pioneer souvenirs, western artwork, custom-designed t-shirts, and even a bison head, among other items. The visitors center also has restrooms and a snack bar.

All Prairie Homestead tours are self-guided. Watching the movie before the tour is best since it explains how homesteaders were able to claim land in 1909 under the Homestead Act. The Brown family, Ed and Alice Brown filed a claim for 160 acres in the Badlands of South Dakota. They packed everything they could take in a covered wagon and left Nebraska, arriving at the claim in early autumn of 1909. The sod home that the Brown's built is the original home and has survived for over 100 years. All of the other original buildings include the cave area for food storage and possible weather protection, an outhouse, chicken coop, and a barn. Amazingly, some of the farm machinery and original furnishings have also been preserved and are on display.

Outside, they have chickens and goats and plenty of places to take pictures. The place is entirely open to visitors touching, feeling, and holding items. Keep an eye out for the white prairie dogs while you're outside, and have fun at this interactive historic site. Visitors can come during the spring, summer, and fall months. It is open from May 15 - October 8 from 9 am to 5 pm.