Windlass Hill Pioneer Homestead
The stones surrounding this marker are the remains of the homestead dwelling of Reverend Dennis B. Clary, a pioneer Methodist Minister, who received final patent for his homestead Mar 22, 1899. Mr. Clary was born September 1st 1822, in Maryland and immigrated to Nebraska in 1885. Using a horse drawn cart fashioned from available materials he hauled stone to this site for a two room home. For years this was a land mark in Ash Hollow and marked the location of Windlass Hill. It was a popular stopping place for settlers traveling from the North Platte Valley area to the railroad at Big Springs, some twenty miles to the south.
The wagon road used at that time is still visible nearby. The Oregon Trail passed here and the area surrounding the house was used by early travelers to repair damage caused by the hazardous trip down Windlass Hill.
This site was used July 29-30, 1967, as the state setting for the “Ash Hollow Centennial Pageant” when a nearby sod house was reconstructed. Funds from the successful historical event provided this Marker.
Marker is on U.S. 26.
Courtesy hmdb.org
