The First Homestead
The allure of owning land, of carving a life from the vast, untamed territories of the American West, has been a powerful driving force in the nation’s history. No single piece of legislation embodies this spirit more profoundly than the Homestead Act. Often hailed as the most significant act ever passed for the well-being of the American people, this law opened up unprecedented opportunities for individuals to claim and cultivate their own piece of the nation. Before its enactment, however, the path to land ownership was fraught with financial obstacles, leaving many hopeful settlers struggling to secure their claims.
Prior to the Homestead Act, which truly began to reshape the American landscape in 1863, acquiring land involved direct purchase from the government. While the prices were relatively low, the pervasive poverty of many settlers meant that they frequently faced the agonizing prospect of losing their land, even after years of toiling and improving it. The dream of independence and prosperity, so central to the American ideal, remained tantalizingly out of reach for countless families.
The seeds of change were sown in the mid-19th century. The Free Soil Party, a political force advocating against the expansion of slavery, also championed the cause of free homesteads for the people. This concept gained traction, and in 1854, Congressman Galusha A. Grow of Pennsylvania introduced the first free homestead bill in Congress. The proposal resonated deeply with the populace, particularly in the West and among the less affluent, who saw it as a pathway to economic security and self-sufficiency. Despite widespread support, the bill faced considerable opposition, primarily from those who feared its potential impact on established landholding patterns and the institution of slavery.
The first legislative attempt to enact a Homestead Act occurred in 1860, stipulating that settlers pay a nominal fee of 25 cents per acre for their land. However, this early version was ultimately vetoed by President James Buchanan, highlighting the deep political divisions surrounding the issue. It wasn’t until the tumultuous years of the Civil War that the concept of free homesteads finally gained the necessary momentum. On May 20, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln, recognizing the potential of the Homestead Act to both unite the nation and spur economic growth, signed it into law. The act officially took effect on January 1, 1863, ushering in a new era of westward expansion and agricultural development.
The stipulations of the Homestead Act were straightforward, yet revolutionary. Any man or woman over the age of 21, or the head of a family, could claim 160 acres of public land. The only requirements were that the claimant reside on the land for a period of five years and pay a small fee of approximately $18 to cover administrative costs. This simple formula unlocked the door to land ownership for millions, transforming the American West and shaping the nation’s character.
Among the throng of hopeful individuals eager to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity was Daniel Freeman. Born in Ohio in 1826, Freeman moved with his family to Illinois in 1835. He was an ardent supporter of the Homestead Act and followed its progress through Congress with unwavering enthusiasm. Freeman often expressed his desire to be the first to claim a homestead under the new law, driven by a deep-seated belief in the promise of self-reliance and the allure of the open frontier.
At the time the Homestead Act was signed into law, Daniel Freeman was serving as a soldier in the Union Army, fighting to preserve the nation. However, his ambition to secure a homestead remained strong. A few months after the act’s passage, he was granted a brief leave and journeyed to the Nebraska Territory, a vast expanse of land ripe for settlement. He carefully surveyed the landscape, searching for the perfect location to build his future. He eventually settled on a plot of land along Cub Creek in Gage County, Nebraska, approximately five miles northwest of the town of Beatrice.
With his chosen land in sight, Freeman wasted no time in heading to the nearest United States Land Office, located in Brownville, Nebraska. He arrived on December 31, 1862, just one day before the Homestead Act was to take effect. The small town was bustling with settlers, all eager to stake their claims under the new law. The atmosphere was festive, with many attending a New Year’s Eve celebration at the local hotel. However, the land office was scheduled to remain closed on New Year’s Day, a legal holiday, pushing the official opening to January 2nd.
This presented a problem for Freeman, who was under orders to rejoin his regiment and expected to depart the following day. Determined to realize his dream, he shared his story with the other prospective homesteaders, explaining his fervent desire to be the first to file a claim under the Homestead Act. Moved by his dedication and recognizing the significance of his ambition, the other settlers rallied around him. Together, they convinced a clerk at the land office to open the office for a few minutes just after midnight on January 1, solely for Daniel Freeman.
And so it was that Daniel Freeman officially made homestead entry number one, securing his claim to 160 acres of land on Cub Creek near Beatrice, Nebraska. He later received homestead patent number one, solidifying his ownership and forever linking his name to the landmark legislation. Nebraska, in turn, earned the distinction of being the site of the first homestead in the United States, a testament to the state’s role in the westward expansion and agricultural development of the nation.
Since that historic day, over one million homesteaders have followed in Daniel Freeman’s footsteps, claiming over 120 million acres of land as a gift from the United States government. Of these homesteaders, over 100,000 settled in Nebraska, contributing significantly to the state’s growth and prosperity. The impact of the Homestead Act on the settlement of the West cannot be overstated. The act fueled migration, spurred agricultural innovation, and fostered a spirit of independence and self-reliance that continues to define the American character. A popular song of the era captured the essence of this sentiment, with the refrain:
"Come along, come along, make no delay,
Come from every nation, come from every way,
Our lands are broad enough, have no alarm
For Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all a farm."
After the Civil War ended in 1865, Daniel Freeman returned to his Nebraska homestead with his bride, and together they built a life on the land he had claimed. The homestead became their family home, where they raised seven children. Freeman dedicated himself to farming and community building, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape and the lives of those around him.
Daniel Freeman passed away on December 30, 1908. His original log cabin, with its sod roof, which served as the family’s first home, has long since disappeared. However, the farm remains a testament to his pioneering spirit, featuring a brick house, an orchard, and rows of towering cottonwood trees that he planted along an old freighting road connecting the Missouri River to the mountains. On a hill overlooking the valley and the road lies the grave of Daniel Freeman, a final resting place that overlooks the land he helped to shape.
The significance of the first homestead was quickly recognized. There was a proposal to preserve it as a public park, a place to commemorate the importance of the Homestead Act and the spirit of those who embraced its promise.
Agnes Suiter Freeman, Daniel’s wife, continued to reside on the homestead until shortly before her death in 1931. In 1936, the United States Congress officially recognized the site of Freeman’s homestead as the "first" homestead in the United States, designating it the Homestead National Monument of America. The national monument encompasses the original homestead claim, the Freeman School (built in 1872), a historic cabin, Freeman’s grave, and tree plantings. The National Park Service administers the property, ensuring that the legacy of Daniel Freeman and the Homestead Act endures for generations to come. Homestead National Monument of America is located in southeastern Nebraska, 40 miles south of Lincoln and four miles west of Beatrice on NE Highway 4.
The Freeman School itself stands as a remarkable testament to the enduring spirit of community and education on the frontier. Recognized as the longest-running one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska, it operated continuously from 1872 to 1967. The National Park Service has meticulously restored the interior to resemble its appearance in the 1880s, offering visitors a glimpse into the daily lives of students and teachers in a rural 19th-century setting.