Backgrounds on Homesteading

HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1862:

Preceeded in 1854 by the Kansas-Nebraska Act when a large area of land labeled the Nebraska Territory became available for settlement. Went back on promise to Indians

Free-Soil Party wanted to stop slavery in Territories

Passed to ease overcrowding in East

Republican party Platform in 1860 election.

Signed into law by Abraham Lincoln after succession of southern states.

Went in effect on January 1, 1863

1. Quarter section of land (160) acres

2. To qualify

• U.S. citizen (non-citizens could claim land if they intended to become citizens)
• Had to be head of household at least 21 years old
• Unmarried, widowed, divorced women could claim land as head of household. One of ten homesteaders were single women
• Pay filing fee of $18 ($10 plus $2 commission to land agent plus $6 final payment after “proving up”) at nearest Land Office
• In 1872, Civil War veterans of both sides could claim land and the time they spent in service was deducted from time on land.

3. At end of five years, owned it if homesteader had

• built a house
• dug a well
• plowed 10 acres
• fenced a specified amount
• lived there at least 6 months of the year
• have 2 neighbors vouch about improvements and sign

4. Additionally, could also claim another quarter-section with a Timber Claim—plant and successfully cultivate 40 acres of timber

5. Could purchase land outright after 6 months residence for $1.25 an acre

OTHER ACTS:

Pre-Emption Act (1841)

Could add another 160 acres if land had been improved upon; legitimized squatting by letting farmers claim unsurveyed plots and later buy from the government.

Desert Lands Acts (1877)

Allowed 640 acres in arid west

Enlarged Homestead Act (1909)

Increased to 320 acres in drier states

Kinkaid Act (1904)

for 640-acre homestead claims in western Nebraska that promoted immigration into the Sand Hills region.

Stockraising Homestead Act (1916)

Increased size of Homesteads to 640 acres

Taylor Grazing Act (1934)

Decreased amount of land available to homesteaders

By 1900, 400,000 individuals had received clear title to lands.

270 million acres (10% of U.S.) claimed in all.

Homestead Act remained in effect until 1977 (Alaska until 1896). In 1974, Vietnam veteran and native Californian named Kenneth Deardorff filed a homestead claim on 80 acres of land on the Stony River in southwestern Alaska