Homestead Act
By: Ally, Alyssa, Mathew
What is it?
The Homestead Act provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the US government could claim 160 acres of surveyed government land.
When it happened
Stipulations
The homesteader had to begin residents on the property within 6 months and couldn't be absent from the claim more than 6 months during any year. Homesteaders also were barred from establishing legal residents anywhere other than the claim. Over the next 5 years, the homesteader had to build a living structure of certain dimensions and cultivate a percentage of the property for agricultural purposes. At the conclusion of the five year residency period, homesteaders were required to publish their intentions to take final possession of the properties form the government. If no one disputed the claim and all requirements of the act had been fulfilled the settler received the deed of the property from the general land office.
walvoordhistory.com/destinations/the-homestead-act-of-1862/
Where they can settle
Anything West of the Mississippi River