Home on the Range: The 1862 Homestead Act
The 1862 Homestead Act
Photo Credit: ISHS
After much political debate and actions by southern states to stall the legislation, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862. This law gave each head of household - men, women, minorities, or immigrants - a chance to own 160 acres of public land in exchange for a small filing fee and residing on the parcel for five years. After that, the settlers received ownership of their land.
During the homestead era, settlers claimed over 270 million acres across the country. The statistics for Idaho are impressive:
Total: 60, 221 homestead claims
Total acres in State: 52,960,640
Total acres homesteaded in State: 9,733,455
Total percentage of Idaho homesteaded: 18%
In 2012, we commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Homestead Act of 1862 and remember the settlers that made the journey to Idaho and started anew. The Idaho Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month program is designed to increase awareness of archaeology and history and enhance the preservation of Idaho's past. We believe these topics are of special interest to Idaho communities and look forward to the exciting learning opportunities our 2012 program will hold for families, students, and enthusiasts across our state.
- A complete schedule of events for the 2012 Idaho Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month program can be found here.
- Please note the following presentations scheduled for Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls are postponed until further notice: The Architecture of the LDS in Idaho by Paul L. Anderson, BYU Museum of Art.
- Presentation Rescheduled: Trolley Time - The Streetcar in Nampa and the Treasrue Valley, by Barbara Perry Bauer, TAG, at the Lloyd Square in Downtown Nampa is rescheduled for May 24, 5:30 to 6:30.
- Download the 2012 bookmark.
Additional Homestead Act information is available at the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management websites.
For more information call (208) 334-3847 or e-mail.
