#ABANDONED FARMS FOR SALE IN TENNESSEE FREE#

Homesteaders used not to have to worry about paying anything for the property, apart from filing fees.

#ABANDONED FARMS FOR SALE IN TENNESSEE FREE#

What Is Free Land?įree land for homesteading had a much different definition than what we know today. This encouraged African-Americans to escape from the confines of Jim Crow oppression. In addition, because the program encouraged anyone of any race to acquire land, race relations in the American West were much better than they were in the south. This means that anyone, regardless of race, gender, or citizenship, were eligible to take advantage of this program.Īs expected, this helped to bring tens of thousands of settlers to a variety of areas across the United States. The only requirements citizens had to follow were to at least be 21 years of age. What better way to encourage settlers to visit certain areas than to provide free land? The sole purpose of the Homestead Act was to help encourage the development of the American West. Why would the government agree to give away unappropriated public lands to the general public without requiring them to pay substantial fees for the property? In addition, you would agree to live on the land with the sole purpose of improving it over five years. All you had to do is pay a minimal fee for filing. Developed in 1862, the Homestead Act took effect in 1863 with the promise of providing 160 acres of public land to relatively anyone.

Abandoned farms for sale in tennessee