What was the Homestead Act of 1862?

Citation: Act of May 20, 1862 (Homestead Act), Public Law 37-64, 05/20/1862; Record Group 11; General Records of the United States Government; National Archives. How to use citation info. (on Archives.gov). read more

The Homestead Act of 1862 Background. On January 1, 1863, Daniel Freeman, a Union Army scout, was scheduled to leave Gage County, Nebraska Territory, to report for duty in St. Louis. read more

The Homestead Act of 1862 has been called one of the most important pieces of Legislation in the history of the United States. read more