T
he Homestead Act of 1862 was the culmination of decades of work to organize and distribute government lands. Every 160-acre parcel largely went to new settlers, but fraudulent schemes placed much of the land in corporate hands. Homesteaders struggled to settle their land grants and many abandoned the land before receiving ownership. But overall, the Homestead Act was instrumental in settling the frontier, providing land for family farms and creating the legacy of the American West.
Other: By 1934
More than 270 million acres—10 percent of U.S. lands--were granted to individuals
Requirements for a Claim: 4
Improve the land by building and planting crops
Requirements for a Claim: 1
Live on the land for 5 years
Requirements for a Claim: 5
Never taken arms against the United States
Requirements for a Claim: 6
Paying a filing fee of $10
Requirements for a Claim: 3
At least 21 years old
Requirements for a Claim: 2
Must be A U.S. citizen or filing for citizenship
Other: Land Grant
160 acres
Major States Settled: State
Kansas
Major States Settled: State
South Dakota
Major States Settled: State
Oregon
Major States Settled: State
North Dakota
Major States Settled: State
Nebraska
Other: By 1900
Homesteaders had filed 600,000 claims for 80 million acres
Becoming a Law: Approved by House
Feb 28, 1862
Becoming a Law: Signed by President Lincoln
May 20, 1862
Becoming a Law: Approved by Senate
May 6, 1862
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