Garden County Nebraska

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Oshkosh, Lewellen, Lisco

Historic District and Cave

Ash Hollow Cave (NHL)
[25-GD-02] Listed 1966//10/15

Archeological exploration of more than six feet of floor material in this rock shelter revealed multiple occupation layers attributed to at least four distinct cultures spanning over 1,500 years. These include protohistoric Apache (A.D. 1675-1725); Central Plains Tradition (A.D. 900-1450); Woodland Tradition (A.D. 0-1100); and Late Archaic Tradition (1000 B.C.-A.D.500). Occupants apparently utilized the cave as a base camp for hunting and food collecting. The excavations, located near Lewellen, have been left exposed to form a permanent exhibit affiliated with a nearby interpretive center operated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Ash Hollow Historic District
[GD00-001] Listed 1975/08/06

Located near Lewellen, the district includes several examples of prehistoric Native American occupation, the most interesting being Ash Hollow Cave (see separate summary). Several distinct Oregon-California Trail remnants from the 1840s-60s westward migrations are clearly visible. A pioneer cemetery dating to the 1840s is located in Ash Hollow, and a fur trading post operated there from 1850 to 1853. In 1855 troops under the command of General William S. Harney attacked and defeated a band of Oglala and Brule Sioux in the Battle of Ash Hollow or Blue Water. After the battle a fortified supply depot named Fort Grattan was established near the mouth of Ash Hollow and abandoned in the spring of 1856.