... should not the legislation of the 
country be so changed as to prevent for the future the evils of land monopoly, by setting apart the vast and unoccupied Territories of the Union, and consecrating them forever in free homes for free men?
 

-Galusha Grow, 
 author of the Homestead Act
 

Homestead National Monument of America is a National Park Service site commemorating the 1862 Homestead Act. During the 123 years that the law was in effect, the Homestead Act greatly influenced the immigration and migration of people, the mechanization of agriculture, social and demographic change and American Indian ways of life.

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At Homestead this history is presented through interpretive displays, historic buildings, films, archives, the natural landscape which includes a prairie and woodland, and access to homestead case files which contain the documents that were needed by the Homesteaders to prove-up on their claims. Subject matter experts at the monument are ready to assist with all of your Homestead related questions.