Homestead National Monument, Nebraska
The open landscape of southern Nebraska makes a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication of enterprising “homesteaders” during the second half of the 19th century. When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act in 1862, he opened the West to Americans.
For just an $18 filing fee, anyone could mark a claim on a 160-acre plot of land in one of 30 states. The only requirement was that they work to farm and improve the land for the next five years.
At the end of that time frame, the Homesteader could “prove up.” He or she would file a document stating what they had done with the land, and get two friends or neighbors to support their statement. Once they had filed with the government, the Homesteader would receive the patent to their land.
Legend holds that Daniel Freeman filed the very first claim for the Homestead Act – at just 10 minutes past midnight on the first day of the Act (January 1, 1863). The final claim was filed in 1974 by Ken Deardorff, when he “proved up” on 80 acres in southwestern Alaska.
Learn more about Homestead National Monument of America.
