What motivated settlers to travel to oregon. The Walkers, who arrived in the late summer of 1840, were the first non-missionary settler family to Oregon from the States. The 80-mile-long valley is known for its stunning Apr 2, 2019 · The Free Emigrant Road, a branch of the Oregon Trail, successfully opened a middle route across Oregon for emigrant travel from the Malheur River (Vale) to the southern Willamette Valley (Eugene). These settlers were motivated by a desire for land, not by a desire Dec 15, 2009 · Westward expansion, the 19th-century movement of settlers into the American West, began with the Louisiana Purchase and was fueled by the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail and a belief in "manifest Traveling west in a covered wagon was truly one bold, daring and extraordinary journey for the pioneers of the 1800s. More recent immigrants also migrated west, with the largest numbers coming from Northern Europe and Canada. The integration of Oregon and Washington into the United States after 1846 ensured that settlers' claims would be recognized and incorporated into the American economic system, one in which the federal government, by drawing additional lines upon the land, fulfilled its responsibility for creating land title in western territories. The Overland Trail (also known as the Overland Stage Line) was a stagecoach and wagon trail in the American West during the 19th century. The Oregon Trail was a 2,170-mile (3,490 km) [1] east–west, large-wheeled wagon route and emigrant trail in the United States that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon Territory. K. One of the biggest threats to those who moved west was attack by American Indians. Most of the claims under the Donation Land Claim Act were located in the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue river valleys. D) neither its Canadian nor Mexican boundaries. Her diary is one of the best accounts of the Oregon Trail experience. Author — American Society for Encouraging the Settlement of the Oregon Territory. From the 1840s through the 1880s, thousands trekked westward, carrying only a few belonging and supplies for the journey The construction of dams, like The Dalles Dam, was central to the power supply of the region. Mar 6, 2024 · The Oregon Trail: The Great Migration. The term "Oregon" may refer to: Aug 23, 2012 · The Central Overland Route followed a series of passes over the mountain ranges between these oasis swamp areas, or mountain springs. May 5, 2023 · Get off the highway and explore the small town charm entirely unique to this part of the country. An interactive map of overland trails that settlers followed on their western journeys. TRAIL BASICS - THE TREK WEST. Tell your students to put on their traveling shoes and prepare for the journey of their lives! In this lesson, students compare imagined travel experiences of their own with the actual experiences of 19th-century pioneers. These pioneers were primarily motivated by the prospect of fertile land for farming and new economic opportunities in the Oregon Territory. Originally built by fur traders and trappers in the early 19 th century, by the mid-1840s it had become one of the most important routes for settlers moving out West. The term “Oregon Trail” refers to the historical route that early settlers in the United States used in the 19th century as they moved westward across the country. Jul 20, 2018 · The gold rush attracted opportunists, miners, and businessmen. -crops to sustain family, sold gold to make profit quick, crowded cities. In what became the state of Oregon, the leading tribes were the salmon-fishing Chinook along the lower Columbia River; the Tillamook Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Which of these was an incentive for settlers to travel to Oregon Country? a. • California Indians. Nov 7, 2017 · Here’s one thing you can say about the lasting legacy of the Oregon Trail, a fact that has lodged the 2,170-mile migration in the minds of generations: The struggle was real. To 3 days ago · List your answers, and explain why these groups were given land. Wagon train crossing the Platte River 1840s-1850s. The train comprised more than 100 Feb 15, 2021 · In the late 1830s and early 1840s, many more Americans started to move to Oregon. Free land and to claim the Oregon territory for the US The rich farmlands of American settlers began following the trail in 1841, with the first recorded settler wagon traingroup being the 1843 "Great Migration" of about 900 settlers, led in part by Marcus Whitman. Migration origins have changed since the 1980s. Dec 1, 2020 · The Wilderness Road was a path westward to Kentucky established by Daniel Boone and followed by thousands of settlers in the late 1700s and early 1800s. During the 1840s and 1850s, many Oregonians referred to the route as the “old trappers’ trail,” as well as the “H. Native Americans in the area had become hostile. Boone and the frontiersmen he supervised managed to link together a route comprising old Indigenous peoples' pathways and Apr 2, 2019 · Oregon City, OR 97045 (503) 657-9336. It was not a road in any modern sense, only parallel ruts leading across endless prairie, sagebrush desert, and mountains. Pioneers came on several routes, the most common being the California and Oregon Trails. 4 hectares) of land in the region. He thus accompanied Cook on his visit to the Northwest Coast in 1778. The growth of Oregon City provides an example of the transformation taking place in Mar 30, 2020 · Steamboats allowed settlers to travel more quickly and easily along the waterways. The pioneers who flocked to the West, all had their own set of reasons for By the early 1840s, there were enough American settlers in Oregon to establish a provisional government. Remember the Alamo, How did the The federal government showed generous gratitude to settlers of Oregon by legislating huge tracts of land through the Donation Land Claim Act of 1850, which was a profoundly racially hued mandate of land settlement in Oregon that would exclude a slew of nonwhites from gaining property in the region. Mar 11, 2024 · Settlers traveling to Oregon would join together for several reasons. We also explore the resilience of local communities and the innovations of local leaders determined to keep Oregon one of the greenest places in the world to visit and live. Travelers were inspired by dreams of gold and rich farmlands, but they were also motivated by difficult economic times in the east and diseases like yellow fever and malaria that were decimating the Midwest around 1837. The history of Oregon, a U. Mar 9, 2023 · The Oregon Trail, a 2,000-mile-long wagon route, was established in 1841, and over the next decade, thousands of settlers used the trail to travel to Oregon. Those stories motivated many farmers to migrate there. A Dangerous Journey West Source: Wikimedia Commons. When the large immigrant group known as the Great Migration arrived in the Willamette Valley in 1843—approximately nine hundred people from Missouri and the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys—McLoughlin expressed alarm that the country was “settling fast. the chance to get rich in the gold fields. The British rejected this offer, however, and Polk ceased negotiations. Sep 2, 2023 · When did people move to Oregon territory? Oregon was first settled by fur trappers in the early 1800's. It is Nearly 400,000 settlers had made the trek westward by the height of the movement in 1870. Many headed off on trails that came off the Oregon Trail and headed to Utah and California. The numbers alone are enough to chill. During the nineteenth century, over 200,000 men, women and children traveled the Oregon and California Trails in search of new homes in the west. This was the era of the famous Oregon Trail. Even after the Oregon Trail migrations began, ships continued to travel to Oregon, but they were not popular among the pioneers. Opportunity for land ownership: The Homestead Act of 1862 provided individuals with the chance to receive 160 acres of public land in exchange for improving the land and residing on it for a period of time. In addition, the possibility of finding gold there attracted many businessmen. Aug 17, 2022 · The Oregon Trail was a popular route for American settlers to travel to the Oregon Country in the early 1800s. California and Washington became the leading origins, as the three Pacific coast states established a population exchange pattern. He wrote that those who “labor the earth” are God’s chosen people and greatly encouraged westward expansion. A 2,000-mile trek across a continent-with no idea what awaits you on the other side. Between 1845 and 1870, considered to be the height of migration along the trail, over 400,000 settlers followed this path west from Missouri. The Western frontier was a dangerous place. 5 million acres of property. [2] Mar 10, 2024 · Settlers were attracted to Oregon because of the availability of free land and the possibility of finding gold in California. In 1850 Oregon - Exploration, Settlement, Economy: When the first Europeans arrived in the Oregon country—a region vaguely defined at the time but roughly comparable to the present Pacific Northwest—about 125 Native American groups lived in and around the area. proposal to divide Oregon along the forty-ninth parallel, placing Puget Sound under U. Part 1: Land | Part 2: Wildfire | Part 3 Jan 27, 2024 · The most popular route American settlers used to travel to the Far West was the Oregon Trail. Western settlers created what we think of as the American West. Texas ranches provided work for cowboys and ranchers. The eastern part of the Oregon Trail spanned part of what is now the state of Kansas and nearly all of what are now the states of Nebraska and Wyoming. So many people from the states settled in the Oregon Territory that most of the Oregon Territory went to America. The influx of settlers led to the formation of the Oregon Provisional Government in 1843, which was the first government in the region. Some were enticed by the reports of the fertile farmland in the region, while others aimed to escape economic recession prevalent in the Eastern cities. C) its boundary with Mexico, but not Canada. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Which geographic features especially challenged settlers on the Oregon Trail?, How did settlers claim ownership of land in the Pacific Northwest?, Why were settlers reluctant to settle in the area of Washington before 1846? and more. the availability of cheap land. By wagon, traveling west took roughly 5 months Western Trails Trails to the Northeast Oregon Trail Trails to California Old Spanish Trail California Trail Trails to the South West Mormon Trail Santa Fe Trail Dangers of Traveling West Disease, heat National Oregon/California Trail Center 320 North 4th Street Montpelier, Idaho 83254 (866) 847-3800 Jul 12, 2015 · Many books have been written about the Oregon Trail, the 2,000-mile-long route across the High Plains that shuttled millions of pioneers to the American West. The first emigrants to Oregon went by ship before an overland trail was established. There were also occasional army forts for protection from hostile Indians. Economic opportunities for trade with Native peoples and the hope of scientific knowledge were additional motivating factors for settlers. They were also drawn to the fertile lands in certain areas like the Willamette River valley. In the late 1830s and early 1840s, many more Americans started to move to Oregon. Did people settle along the Oregon Trail? Between 1841 and 1884, an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people traveled overland along the Oregon Trail. At times, the trip probably seemed as impossible as the terrain was impassible. Californians bound for Oregon sometimes called it the “Oregon trail,” while some Oregonians headed south dubbed it the “California trail. The mythology that (mis)characterizes the American settlement of the West as an epic tale of virtuous triumph over a dangerous and exhilarating wilderness was fueled in part by reports from early explorers. Journeys West engages students in inquiry into the theme of journeys through the exploration of topics such as the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the California Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail, Fur Traders and Native Americans. It significantly shaped North American history, especially from 1790 until 1840, when the trade played a dramatic and critical role in the Oregon Country, which included present-day Oregon and Jefferson believed that, for the republic to survive, westward expansion was necessary to create independent, virtuous citizens as owners of small farms. Shaping Oregon’s Character Throughout the long process of settling the American West, the legend of the West would grow and become a symbol of the rugged adventurousness of western settlers. • soldiers. It was a challenging and arduous journey taken by hundreds of thousands of American pioneers in the mid-1800s. #6 in Best Places to Visit in Oregon. Courtesy: Special Collections Dept. Feb 3, 2023 · The Oregon Trail was the most historic of the Overland Trails used by settlers, traders, and others to migrate to the western United States during the 19th century. fertile farmland c. By extension, married couples were eligible to claim up to 640 acres (259 hectares). Fur trade b. List two activities commonly found at a rancho. This 2,000-mile route stretched from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Why did most settlers take farm animals along the Oregon Trail?, Why did settlers wait until late April or May before starting the journey west?, What happened to the Donner Party as they traveled the Oregon Trail? and more. This made travel slow and difficult, as settlers had to navigate through Apr 27, 2023 · Oregon was admitted as a state in 1859; Washington’s present boundaries were established when Idaho was made a territory in 1863. In the 19th century, many people traveled to Oregon as part of the Oregon Trail, a historic pioneer route that stretched over 2,000 miles from Missouri to Oregon. If the settler was unwilling to wait that long, it could have been purchased outright even if originally claimed on a homestead Trappers, settlers, and miners headed West from the eastern United States prior to the Civil War. They had heard that Oregon (in particular the Willamette Valley) was very fertile and had good weather. Additionally, eastern churches aimed to teach European ideas of “civilization” to Native American tribes in the Oregon Country, and many individuals sought a fresh start for a new life. The Oregon Trail was one of the most popular routes to the western lands during the 1800s. Mar 5, 2018 · 28. At its beginning, in the early 1770s, it was a road in name only. The California Trail was known to have had over 250,000 travelers over it, most of them prospectors in the Gold Rush Era. Some of the main factors that motivated individuals to move to Oregon included: The availability of free land in Oregon, making it an appealing opportunity for those seeking to establish permanent homes and start a new life. B. The Oregon Trail was popular because it was the only route to the Oregon Country. The vast majority were men, although families also migrated, despite incredible hardships for women with young children. At the age of 13 he joined the Royal Navy and served as a midshipman during Captain James Cook's second and third voyages to the Pacific Coast (1772-75 and 1776-80). Of the estimated 500,000 settlers who made the five-month journey from Missouri to Oregon in the 1840s to 1860s, one in 10 would In this article, we will explore the various motivations that drove early settlers to move to Oregon county. Canadian citizenship, Which of these was a campaign slogan in President Polk's 1844 campaign? a. , In 1815, Spain held title to all of the following present-day lands EXCEPT A) Louisiana. The Oregon missionaries were pioneers who settled in the Oregon Country of North America starting in the 1830s dedicated to bringing Christianity to local Native Americans. All of Oregon or None d. They were a people who felt Aug 6, 2019 · Americans who went to Oregon during this time were largely interested in participating in this trade. The Homestead Act, passed in 1862, allowed settlers to claim 160 acres of land for free. May 17, 2023 · Related read: 7 Tantalizing Stories of Lost Treasure in Oregon. Rough and Ready c. How did pioneers travel on the Oregon Go West: Imagining the Oregon Trail. The possibility of finding gold in California Sep 1, 2023 · Many Settlers moving to Oregon country and other western areas followed the 2,000 mile long Oregon Trail, which stretched from places such as Independence, Missouri, or Council Bluffs, Iowa, west Dec 1, 2015 · The Overland Trails 1840-1860. Canadian citizenship d. Frink, 1850. W. Mar 12, 2024 · Settlers in Oregon claimed land through various means, including: 1. However, the event that drew the largest number of migrants to move to Oregon was the Panic of 1837. By 1856 more than 7,000 settlers had acquired more than 2. growing food, raising cattle, fiestas. S. The Oregon Trail was used by over 500,000 settlers between 1841 and 1869. government which hoped to legitimize its claims to the territory through the influx of a large number of American citizens, and by the In the late 1830s and early 1840s, many more Americans started to move to Oregon. It also brought much needed goods to the West and created small mining towns. In the summer of 1845 the Polk administration offered a compromise, renewing the initial U. The primary factors that motivated settlers to migrate to the 19th century American West can be attributed to various reasons: 1. By the time the first transcontinental railroad opened in 1869 and use of the trail started to The Great Mormon Migration. religious freedom d. Today, you could make the same trip by car in four days or by jet in Oct 13, 2022 · The Oregon Trail is the most famous of these western routes. Ashland is a picturesque town in the Rogue Valley (what a great name!) right across from the California border. The factors motivating these settlers to relocate were diverse, ranging from access to fertile land and abundant resources to the potential for a Apr 13, 2021 · The Oregon Trail was a 2,170 mile (3,490 km) route that served pioneers wanting to settle in the west side of the United States. Sep 8, 2017 · The US put out a patriotic plea for American settlers to move to the Oregon Territory to establish the claims of the United States to the Oregon Territory. , J. This dusty route shaved 200 miles and over ten-day's travel time off the more northern California Trail route. The Oregon Trail was a wagon road stretching 2170 miles from Missouri to Oregon's Willamette Valley. Victory or Death b. 1 million in 2017. Rough Terrain: The journey west involved traversing rough and unfamiliar terrain, including mountains, deserts, and forests. Ashland, Oregon. Nov 13, 2015 · That year, Marcus helped lead the first major wagon train of around 1,000 settlers along the Oregon Trail, an exodus now known as the “Great Migration. 8 million acres of Indian land. One reason was the desire to find a navigable route to the Pacific and establish stronger claims to land. Lets explore the best towns to visit in Oregon: 1. After a five-year window, the title was cleared and the settler owned the land in question. Another important factor was completion of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869; the railroad led to much more rapid western migration and also There were stories of vast fertile and free land in Oregon that just waited for farmers to arrive. During the 1840s tens of thousands of American migrants made long journeys through the American West seeking land in Oregon, gold in California, and religious liberty in Utah. Donation Land Claims (DLC) Under the terms of an 1850 act, certain white settlers and Indians of mixed blood in Oregon Territory (then including Washington), and certain settlers arriving between Dec. The trail stretched for more than 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, in present-day Oregon. and Elvira Johnson PERKINS had their second child, a daughter. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah. Here’s a quick primer (picture these regions in a Nov 21, 2023 · The settlers in Oregon immediately set their eyes on statehood and used local militia and the U. Additionally, some settlers were motivated by the desire to teach American Indians their European ideas of civilization and to Lesson Procedure. Gold deposits, What was the Great Migration?, What geographical difficulty did the settlers face when traveling to the Oregon Country? and more. [2] [3] The Provisional Government of Oregon was established by such settlers in 1843, generally limited to the Willamette Valley. Led by Jason Lee, its members joined a party headed by New England merchant Nathaniel Wyeth. Some settlers believed that the change in climate would help alleviate chronic ailments. Modes of Transportation Most settlers travel in wagons Ex: Conestoga Wagon Groups of wagons traveled together in long lines called wagon trains. Despite the many reasons to migrate westward, the numbers that amassed in Oregon and California were modest, and migration was concentrated between 1844 and 1848. Along this trail, fur trappers, Christian missionaries, and thousands of settlers sought their fortunes and new beginnings. The Frinks had no children and lived in several eastern states before their decision to follow the gold trail to California . American settlers came in the thousands in the 1840s Two of the major economic incentives that were given to draw settlers to the West were 1) the ability to own large plots of land for practically no money (since the government provided generous land grants) and 2) the ability to find gold in California. Jul 17, 2023 · Hood River. The trail began in Independence, Missouri and ended in Oregon City, Oregon. It was a grand life but a tough one. These outposts offered protection and supplies for emigrants, as well as travel advice and a welcome respite from the rigours of the journey. A major incentive for migrants on the Oregon trail in the 1840s was. The trek was a difficult journey and took five months to travel the 2,000 miles by ox-drawn wagon. Source: flickr. There were Native American tribes, many of which were hostile to white settlers. 2. The Oregon and California Trails stretched nearly Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like By 1860, The United States had settled A) its boundaries with both Canada and Mexico. 1, 1853, were entitled to land. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like for most emigrants on overland trails, most emigrants to Far West were motivated, first task facing pioneer farmers and more. Those emigrants on the eastern side of the Missouri River in Missouri or Iowa used ferries and steamboats (fitted out for ferry duty) to cross into towns in Nebraska. 4. B) Texas. gold deposits b. The lure of free land in Oregon and the possibility of finding gold in California enticed people to move westward. Oregon Trail - Missionaries, Mormons, Pioneers: The first missionary group to the West left Independence in 1834. Margaret Frink and her husband Ledyard traveled the Trail in 1850. DONATE – Click here to learn how you can support us, and access a link to our online Donation button. control. Challenges faced by settlers on their journey west included: 1. 4 million in 2000, and 4. Three different wagon trains made the attempt to cross by a middle route. Spanning from Missouri to Oregon, the Oregon Trail provided the first reliable land route to the Pacific coast while connecting several important cities along the way. There were swift-moving rivers, dense forests, vast grasslands, brutal deserts, and unforgiving mountains. The growth of Oregon City provides an example of the transformation taking place in The population reached 1. These fur trappers built a trading post named Astoria witch later became a city. IN OREGON: In January, Louise WALKER was born to Mary and Joel Walker near Salem. On January 18, 1841, missionaries H. Among the most significant were Fort Kearny (present-day Kearney Nov 16, 2009 · On this day in 1843, some 1,000 men, women, and children climbed aboard their wagons and steered their horses west out of the small town of Elm Grove, Missouri. Jan 23, 2024 · The discovery of gold and silver in places like California and Nevada also motivated settlers to venture west in search of wealth. In five years’ time, settlers would claim 2. It was one of the two ways to emigrate to the west in the mid-1800s Nov 21, 2023 · However, the arrival of American settlers travelling along the Oregon Trail would change the balance of power in the Pacific Northwest. Settlers and Soldiers, because the government wanted to attract people to settle in California and wanted to reward soldiers. 1, 1850, and Dec. The first, led by Stephen Meek in 1845, ended in disaster when the wagon different lives/tasks faced by pioneers on agricultural, mining, urban frontiers. Army to make the territory free of Native American attacks and safe for more white settlers. In fact Oregon is the 10th largest state in the nation in terms of land area — the ninth largest if you count its waterways, too. These settlers were motivated by a desire for land, not by a desire for furs. Feb 7, 2024 · Various reasons motivated pioneers to head west to Oregon. Jan 9, 2023 · The Oregon Trail is a 2,170-mile historic east-west route that was used by American settlers during the mid-19th century. B) its boundary with Canada, but not Mexico. Students learn about diverse groups of people who left their homes to start a new Nov 21, 2023 · The height of travel along this trail was earlier than the peak of other trails, and saw most of its traffic in the years 1820-1850, whereas the Oregon Trail saw its peak travel years in 1843 to Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Which of these was an incentive for settlers to travel to Oregon Country? a. The Oregon Donation Land Act was passed in 1850, offering 320-acre parcels to thousands of white immigrants. Margaret was born in 1818 and married her husband in 1839. state, may be considered in five eras: geologic history, inhabitation by native peoples, early exploration by Europeans (primarily fur traders ), settlement by pioneers, and modern development. There’s so much land, we categorize them into seven regions, each as distinct (and handsome) as the seven dwarves. On July 5, 1843, the Oregon provisional government passed an act that allowed single white men to claim 320 acres (129. The California branch was especially popular in the late 1840s and early ’50s, as hordes of gold seekers joined the gold rush to California. In the early 19th century, the Oregon country was a land of opportunity for many pioneers. Mar 2, 2024 · The prospect of free land in Oregon and the possibility of finding gold in California were major factors that inspired settlers to move to the Oregon Territory. Margaret A. C) Utah Apr 20, 2022 · This four-part series dives into the effects of climate change on some of Oregon’s destinations, attractions and industries. The Oregon Trail has a legendary place in the history of the United States. • settlers. Two thousand miles long and barely passable on foot in the early nineteenth century, by the 1840s, wagon trains were a common sight. C. Hood River's location in the Columbia River Gorge makes it a prime place for outdoor pursuits. George Vancouver was born June 22, 1757 at King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. [1] There had been missionary efforts prior to this, such as those sponsored by the Northwest Company with missionaries from the Church of England starting in 1819. Settlement by farmers was promoted, in part, by the U. ”. Explorers came and went, soldiers came and went, miners and others came went. Feb 17, 2017 · Out of the estimated 400,000 people who traversed the Oregon Trail, only about 80,000 ended up in Willamette Valley in Oregon. Oregon also began to diversify, attracting Asian origin Aug 9, 2010 · Settlers became outraged at this practice, which eventually led to dismissal of the first surveyor-general. trail. Finally, the expansion of railroads made travel to the West faster and more accessible, allowing settlers to transport supplies and reach their destinations more easily. The fur trade was the earliest and longest-enduring economic enterprise that colonizers, imperialists, and nationalists pursued in North America. In later years, free-range cattle would be rounded up and As tensions mounted, both countries prepared for the possibility of war. While portions of the route had been used by explorers and trappers since the 1820s, the Overland Trail was most heavily used in the 1860s as a route alternative to the Oregon, California, and Mar 9, 2024 · During the 1800s, many people were attracted to Oregon for various reasons. Bibliography of Exploration, Adventure, and Travel in the American West, 1800-1865, and The Trail West: A Bibliography-Index to Western American Trails, 1841-1869. It stretched over 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon. The promise of a better life drove them onward mile after grueling mile. But the settlers came to stay. Oregon Trail - Outposts, Pioneers, Westward: Crucial to the success and well-being of travelers on the trail were the many forts and other settlements that sprang up along the route. The descriptive “trail [or road] over the Siskiyous” was Mar 12, 2024 · Why did people settle in Oregon? The rich farmlands of Oregon drew thousands of settlers. In the News: “Editor’s Choice Award: Why Oregon City is a Must-Visit Destination for Couples Who Love History” “Travelers Can Cash in Their Credit Card Rewards to Explore the End of the Oregon Jan 4, 2021 · When it comes to land, Oregon has lots of it. 5 million in 1950, 2 million by 1970, 3. Fertile farmland c. Apr 25, 2019 · The Homestead Act of 1862 provided a quarter section of land (160 acres) to those willing to live on and improve the parcel. Traffic soon skyrocketed, and by the Overland Trail. More people went west seeking work as cowboys than as lumberjacks or miners. ql ld xd pu jn st vy wi af mq