Through the Homestead Act of 1862, free land was available for the taking in the undeveloped territories of United States. All an interested individual had to do was file an application, make improvements to the land, and then file for a deed of title.
One of, if not the first individual to file a homestead claim was Daniel Freeman. Stories tell of him filing a mere 10 minutes after midnight on January 1, 1863 at the Land Office in Brownville, Nebraska. This was the first day in which the Act went into effect.
Accordingly, his homestead is now the site of the Homestead National Historic Park dedicated to the rugged individuals who pursued land ownership under the Homesteading Laws. Aside from the unique Heritage Center on property, visitors are also able to see a small tract of Tallgrass Prairie as it would have been in the days when Freeman arrived.
In total, approximately 270 million acres of land (approximately 10% of the total land of the United States) was given away at no charge under the Homestead Act. The only cost associated to it other than the labor and improvements required was an $18 filing fee.
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to the Glacial Drumlin trail office in Lake Mills, of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://www.wi-geocaching.com/hiding