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Homestead Records: Difference between revisions
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In 1862 the United States enacted a homestead law to encourage development of mostly-empty western federal lands and promote the yeoman farmer ideal. The original homestead law gave an applicant up to 160 acres (1/4 of a section) of undeveloped land in any federal-land state or territory. To obtain the land a settler had to: | In 1862 the United States enacted a homestead law to encourage development of mostly-empty western federal lands and promote the yeoman farmer ideal. The original homestead law gave an applicant up to 160 acres (1/4 of a section) of undeveloped land in any federal-land state or territory. To obtain the land a settler had to: | ||
:#file application papers, and pay | :#file application papers, and pay filing fees, eventually a total of $18 | ||
:#improve the land over the next five years (usually build a dwelling and start a | :#improve the land over the next five years (usually build a dwelling, and start a farm) | ||
:#file for a deed of title. | :#file for a deed of title. | ||