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Signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, the Homestead Act of 1862 opened up much of the West for settlement. This land was declared "public domain," open to settlement by American citizens. |
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Western territories were measured into square mile sections and further divided into "quarter sections," or 160-acre lots (1/2 mile squares). According to law,
Any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and is a citizen of the United States, or who shall have filed his declaration of intention to become such.... Who has never borne arms against the United States Government or given aid and comfort to its enemies,
was entitled to 160 free acres of land. For an $18 filing fee, the homesteader could have his or her piece of America.
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Signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, the Homestead Act of 1862 opened up much of the West for settlement. This land was declared "public domain," open to settlement by American citizens. |
Throughout the museum you will be reminded of the hardships and entertainment of the early settlers in the Phillips County area. On display are ice saws for taking big ice cubes from Nelson Reservoir in the days when iceboxes were used to keep food cool. Spinning wheels and looms, coal and kerosene stoves, music boxes, fiddles and gramophones are showcased in out Homestead exhibitions. A model bunkhouse and tack room are also of special interest to those interested in the early 1900’s of Phillips County.
As a complement to the historic archives represented by the museum, a complete military display documents the significant contribution Phillips County made to our nations military efforts over the many years.
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More Scenes From The Museum |
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