Location: Southeastern Nebraska from the Missouri border to Edison Length: 238 miles (383 km) Time To Allow: 4 hours Description/Highlights/Points of Interest The Heritage Highway extends from the wooded and hilly area of the Missouri River to the prairie lakes region of South Central Nebraska. Museums along the byway follow the area's first inhabitants, the Native American tribes, and the progression of European settlers. Historic main streets border modern farms. Heritage, culture, arts and crafts are celebrated at various fairs, festivals and theatrical presentations. Willa Cather depicted this prairie land in her many novels of life on the Nebraska plains. The Oregon Trail, pony express stations and the location of America's first homestead are all located along the Heritage Highway. This claim was filed under the Homestead Act of 1862 that brought millions of settlers westward. Suggested Itinerary Travel west along the Heritage Highway and you'll pass several recreation areas that offer outdoor adventure opportunities for the entire family. The Brownville State Recreation Area, east of Brownsville is open year-round for hiking and camping. A park entry permit is required. The Spirit of Brownville Riverboat departs from the park between April and October, with public cruises available on the weekends from mid-June to mid-August. Twenty-one miles (34 km) of opportunities to commune with nature await you on the Steamboat Trace Trail. Massive oak trees towering over you, limestone bluffs, the gently flowing Missouri River, blackberries, wild roses and some of the most beautiful scenery in Nebraska are just some of things marvels you'll come across along the trail, which follows an old railroad bed. Four miles west of Beatrice is the Homestead National Monument, which commemorates the free land idea that had an immediate and enduring effect upon America that is still felt today. Under the Homestead Act, more than 270 million acres (108 million hectares), 10 percent of the land in the United States, were turned over to individuals. This great transformation led to profound and lasting changes to the land, Native Americans, immigration and migration patterns and American agriculture. The monument commemorates the lives and accomplishments of all pioneers. Southeast of Fairbury is the Rock Creek Station State Historical Park. This former road ranch served pioneers and freighters on the Oregon Trail, the Overland Stage and the Pony Express. Wild Bill Hickok began his infamous gun fighting career here, and today you can take an ox-drawn wagon ride through the park. A park entry permit is required. While driving along the byway, stop off at the picturesque towns of Hebron and Belvidere. Hebron, named after the ancient city in Palestine, is a quiet, enjoyable town with a distinct small town atmosphere. The front facing of the courthouse has four faces carved in stone by Gutzon Borglum, who carved Mt. Rushmore. The faces are of three famous Hebron locals and of Borglum himself. North of Hebron, in the community of Belvidere, is one of the best genealogy departments in Nebraska, the Thayer County Historical Society Museum. In Red Cloud, on U.S. 136 is the Starke Round Barn, the largest circular frame barn of its type in the country. Constructed in 1902, it is three stories tall and is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. American author Willa Cather is celebrated at the Willa Cather State Historic Site at the intersection of Highways 281and 136. Tours through five restored buildings are offered five times daily by the Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial (WCPM). The tours originate from WCPM's Bookstore, located on Red Cloud's main street. The restored sites included on the tour are Willa Cather's Childhood Home, The Burlington Depot, St. Juliana Catholic Church, Grace Episcopal Church and the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank. The bank building houses interpretive displays on Willa Cather's life and provides space for the Willa Cather Archives. Covering 31,000 acres on the south edge of town, Harlan County Lake is Nebraska's second largest lake. Considered some of the best fishing in Nebraska, the lake is about nine miles (14.5 km) long and has 75 miles (120.7 km) of shoreline. Truly a sportsman's paradise, Harlan County is home to excellent pheasant, quail, dove, duck, goose and turkey hunting. During the winter months, hundreds of bald eagles stop over at the lake on their annual migration. For additional information about this byway, contact: Harlan County Lake Homestead National Monument of America Steamboat Trace Trail Willa Cather State Historic Site