Homesteading in Colorado
Homesteading is not only a part of Colorado's history, but it has shaped the land and left a legacy behind. In many parts of Colorado, remnants of the old farms, tools and way of life still linger on the landscape. The human history of an area can sometimes be just as important as the geological history that shaped the land into what we now see. But what is Homesteading, and how did it come to be?
The Homestead Act
Homesteading is not only a part of Colorado's history, but it has shaped the land and left a legacy behind. In many parts of Colorado, remnants of the old farms, tools and way of life still linger on the landscape. The human history of an area can sometimes be just as important as the geological history that shaped the land into what we now see. But what is Homesteading, and how did it come to be?
The Homestead Act
Enacting in 1862 during the civil war, this act enabled any
adult citizen to claim 160 acres of surveyed government land. The Claimants are
required to improve the land by cultivating the land and building themselves a
dwelling. After five years they were granted a deed to the property with a
small registration fee. This act formally ended in 1976 under the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act.
The homestead act was a significant legislature. The country was just ending the civil war, slavery had been abolished, and immigrants were pouring into the land of the free to seek their fortunes. This act gave new immigrants a chance to grab a piece of land to call their own, it gave newly freed slaves a chance to start a life, and for independent women without a husband, the opportunity to work the land and make something for themselves. It also gave farmers from the East that had no land a chance to travel West and get some. People came from all over to the West. To the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and to Colorado.
Of course, this was not simply free land. They had to build a house and improve the land, and many did not succeed in this endeavor. Winters could be surprisingly harsh, and droughts were beyond devastating. The land may have been cheap, but the homesteaders had to buy all of their own supplies and tools that they needed to farm the land. Many gave up when they found themselves unable to make ends meet.
The Homestead act of 1862 was not the first of its kind. In fact, many similar acts had been proposed and shot down, mostly due to opposition from factories who didn't want their workers to leave. Factory work back then was dangerous, tiring and poor paying.
In the 1940's when these same factories became flooded with Irish immigrants seeking work after leaving Ireland because of the potato famine, opposition for the homestead act because to ease. The factory owners certainly couldn't claim they wouldn't have enough workers anymore.
After a huge push from the political Free Soil Party in 1848, which then folded into the Republican party in 1854, just a few years later the homestead act was finally passed.
A southern Homestead act was passed in 1866 to help newly freed slaves find land in Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Luisiana and Mississippi. However, this was doomed to fail as these states had been settled for a long time already and the good land had already been taken up. The act was repealed.
The homestead act was a significant legislature. The country was just ending the civil war, slavery had been abolished, and immigrants were pouring into the land of the free to seek their fortunes. This act gave new immigrants a chance to grab a piece of land to call their own, it gave newly freed slaves a chance to start a life, and for independent women without a husband, the opportunity to work the land and make something for themselves. It also gave farmers from the East that had no land a chance to travel West and get some. People came from all over to the West. To the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and to Colorado.
Of course, this was not simply free land. They had to build a house and improve the land, and many did not succeed in this endeavor. Winters could be surprisingly harsh, and droughts were beyond devastating. The land may have been cheap, but the homesteaders had to buy all of their own supplies and tools that they needed to farm the land. Many gave up when they found themselves unable to make ends meet.
The Homestead act of 1862 was not the first of its kind. In fact, many similar acts had been proposed and shot down, mostly due to opposition from factories who didn't want their workers to leave. Factory work back then was dangerous, tiring and poor paying.
In the 1940's when these same factories became flooded with Irish immigrants seeking work after leaving Ireland because of the potato famine, opposition for the homestead act because to ease. The factory owners certainly couldn't claim they wouldn't have enough workers anymore.
After a huge push from the political Free Soil Party in 1848, which then folded into the Republican party in 1854, just a few years later the homestead act was finally passed.
A southern Homestead act was passed in 1866 to help newly freed slaves find land in Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Luisiana and Mississippi. However, this was doomed to fail as these states had been settled for a long time already and the good land had already been taken up. The act was repealed.
A Homesteader originally was someone who took a claim on
government land and cultivated it under the Homestead Act. After the act
formally ended, a homesteader came to mean a certain lifestyle; someone who has
gone back to their “roots”. They have self-sufficient living in urban and
suburban settings, as well as in the original rural acreage. They have energy efficient houses, buy local and grow their own food.
There are a lot of remnants of homestead buildings in Colorado, where you can take a look at the legacy these early homesteaders left behind, and imagine what their lives must have been like.
I will include a few links to some of the homesteads in Colorado that you can go and enjoy!
WISE HOMESTEAD MUSEUM
http://eriehistoricalsociety.org/erie-wise-homestead-museum/
This Homestead dates back to 1869 When Oliver and his wife Adaline Wise along with their three children settled in Colorado. This homestead has been turned into a museum.
HORNBECK HOMESTEAD
http://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/67hornbek/67hornbek.htm
In the 1870's Adeline Hornbeck, a strong willed widow with four children took advantage of the homestead act and became the owner of a prosperous ranch. Adeline Hornbeck's homestead can be visited in the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE NATURAL AREA
http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/soapstone
This Natural area is rich with archeological significance, with human inhabitance dating back to the PaleoIndians of the ice age over 12,000 years ago! Here is a place where homesteaders have left behind the ruins of old foundations, old farms and roads. Due to its archeological significance, it is important to remember that you are not allowed to take things from the Natural Area.
There are other historic homesteads to go see in Colorado, and I hope you find and enjoy them!
There are a lot of remnants of homestead buildings in Colorado, where you can take a look at the legacy these early homesteaders left behind, and imagine what their lives must have been like.
I will include a few links to some of the homesteads in Colorado that you can go and enjoy!
WISE HOMESTEAD MUSEUM
http://eriehistoricalsociety.org/erie-wise-homestead-museum/
This Homestead dates back to 1869 When Oliver and his wife Adaline Wise along with their three children settled in Colorado. This homestead has been turned into a museum.
HORNBECK HOMESTEAD
http://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/67hornbek/67hornbek.htm
In the 1870's Adeline Hornbeck, a strong willed widow with four children took advantage of the homestead act and became the owner of a prosperous ranch. Adeline Hornbeck's homestead can be visited in the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE NATURAL AREA
http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/soapstone
This Natural area is rich with archeological significance, with human inhabitance dating back to the PaleoIndians of the ice age over 12,000 years ago! Here is a place where homesteaders have left behind the ruins of old foundations, old farms and roads. Due to its archeological significance, it is important to remember that you are not allowed to take things from the Natural Area.
There are other historic homesteads to go see in Colorado, and I hope you find and enjoy them!
No comments:
Post a Comment