The Homestead Acts were several laws in the United States by which an applicant could acquire ownership of government land or the public domain, typically called a homestead.

The property owner may be entitled to a homestead exemption if he or she owns a single-family residence and occupies it as their primary residence on the first day of the tax year for which …

Jun 7, 2022 · The Homestead Act, enacted during the Civil War in 1862, provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could …

Homestead Act of 1862, in U.S. history, significant legislative action that promoted the settlement and development of the American West. It was also notable for the opportunity it gave African …

Nov 9, 2009 · The Homestead Act of 1862, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, granted Americans 160-acre plots of public land for the price a small filing fee.

Oct 12, 2022 · Learn about how the Homestead Act intersected with debates on slavery and Native lands. The legislative building blocks of the Homestead Act include: The Land …

Dec 3, 2020 · Enacted in 1862, the Homestead Act encouraged Western migration by offering settlers 160 acres of public land. This guide compiles Library of Congress digital materials, …

The Homestead Act opened federally-owned land in the West to any claimant willing, for little more than a filing fee, to occupy and improve up to 160 acres of land.

Sep 11, 2025 · The Homestead Act of 1862 remains one of the most significant factors shaping growth and settlement patterns in the United States, helping to drive homeownership and …

Jan 27, 2025 · And be it further enacted, That no lands acquired under the provisions of this act shall in any event become liable to the satisfaction of any debt or debts contracted prior to the …