Homestead National Monument of America NE

We did not realize, until visiting Homestead Nat'l Monument, the true extent of the Homestead Act. Thirty of the 50 states had Homestead Land at some point during the Homestead Act's existence (1863-1986). The Act was repealed in the Lower 48 in 1976 but extended to 1986 in Alaska. Over 270 million acres in 30 states were turned over from the government to private ownership. In order to obtain private ownership you had to build a home and develop the land and after 5 years the land was turned over to you. Women did not have the right to vote at this time or many other rights but they could homestead and obtain ownership. About 40 per cent of the people homesteading did obtain ownership. It was a difficult lifestyle to say the least. Many of these areas were never farmed before and crops had to be developed that would produce. Each homestead could claim 160 acres which is 1/4 square mile. It was enlightening to see how many families still are on the land today that at one time was homesteaded.