Seward in Seward County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Plum Creek Prairie Historic Site
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2013
1. Plum Creek Prairie Historic Site Marker
On January 2, 1863, Robert T. Gale filed the first homestead in Seward County, then “Greene County.” A surveyor, he chose an irregular tract along Plum Creek that provided shelter from the north winds and fresh spring water year-round. Robert and Amelia Wooley Gale and baby Clara Jane narrowly escaped icy flood waters that swept away their belongings and livestock.
Just as the nucleus of a town emerged, and before the claim was “proved up,” Gales health failed. He died March 25, 1868, and was buried on the northwest corner of the homestead. The Gales baby, Alfred, died the following winter, also of tuberculosis. Gales heirs received the patent to the homestead in 1869, and Amelia later moved to Oregon.
A century later, when the abandoned burial grounds were rediscovered and letters written by Amelia were found, the familys compelling story emerged. This marker honors Robert and Amelia Gale and all who braved hardships to make their homes on the Nebraska prairie.
Seward Area Chamber of Commerce
Nebraska State Historical Society
Erected by Seward Area Chamber of Commerce and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 421.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 40° 54.165′ N, 97° 5.247′ W. Marker is in Seward, Nebraska, in Seward County. It is on U.S. 34 0.1 miles west of Crooked Mile Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in a pullout on the south side of U.S. 34 (McKelvie Road). The pullout is a trailhead for the Plum Creek Trail. Plum Creek runs just south of the marker and trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seward NE 68434, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in Greater Lincoln. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Big Blue River, Seward (a few steps from this marker); Seward, 4th of July City (approx. 0.7 miles away); William Henry Seward / Artists David and Judith Rubin (approx. 0.7 miles away); Worlds Largest Time Capsule and Pyramid (approx. one mile away); Farming in Nebraska (approx. 5.8 miles away); a different marker also named The Big Blue River (approx. 5.8 miles away); Purple Heart Trail (approx. 5.8 miles away); Tall Grass Prairie (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seward.
Also see . . . History of Seward. (Submitted on March 8, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2013
2. Plum Creek Prairie Historic Site Marker (wide view)
View north from pullout, showing the marker and U.S. 34 in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
