出典:Wikipedia
出典:『Wikipedia』 (2011/07/28 06:52 UTC 版)
The Homestead Act is one of three United States federal laws that gave an applicant freehold title to an area called a "Homestead" –typically 160 acres (65 hectares or one-fourth section) of undeveloped federal land west of the Mississippi River. The law required three steps: file an application, improve the land, and file for deed of title. Anyone who had never taken up arms against the U.S. government, including freed slaves, could file an application to claim a federal land grant. The occupant also had to be 21 or older, had to live on the land for five years and show evidence of having made improvements. The original Homestead Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20, 1862.