The Homestead Act of 1862 triggered one of the largest migrations in history. American citizens, recently freed slaves, and immigrants from all over the world traveled to the Great Plains and Western United States to claim free land. It's recorded that four million homestead claims were filed. Montana, North Dakota, Colorado and Nebraska are listed as the states with the most successful claims and the first homestead claim was filed right here in Nebraska by Daniel Freeman on January 1, 1863!

Photo Gallery: The Lure of the Land