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HISTORY OF RANCH AND HOMESTEAD

Heinrich G. Wohlers, known as Dutch Henry, immigrated in 1882 to Iowa where he had relatives.  Then he returned to Germany and along with 4 sons and 2 daughters returned to the U.S.  They applied for citizenship.  In 1884 Dutch Henry and J. Hulseman traveled by train to Valentine, NE.  From there they walked to the tableland in what is now Dawes County.  Each selected Homesteads of 160 acres and returned to Iowa.  In 1885 Dutch Henry and a son returned to NE living in a dugout for 2 years.  The rest of the children joined them a year later.  The homestead he chose was in the timber, because he thought timber would be useful for building.  The barn was built in 1914 using no blueprints from logs harvested from the pine trees off the ranch.  The ranch along with the homesteaded acres now consists of 2500 acres of combined family land.  It is a working ranch/farm.

The original brick part of the house was built in the 1890's, while the wooden portion was built in 1910.  The house consists of 5 bedrooms, a large dining area, a large kitchen and a bathroom.  There is second story deck for great nature viewing.

Six generations of Wohlers have ranched and farmed in Dawes County, while four generations continue the family traditions today.  The original homestead is being considered for state and national historical landmark designations.

History of Ranch and Homestead

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