Homesteader Collection

Oklahoma Territory opened to settlers, 1891
Homesteaders charge at the start signal, western Oklahoma Land Rush, 1891. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

HSET2A-00122
Pioneer clearing land around his log cabin. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Mormons caught in a prairie blizzard en route to Utah
Mormon hand-cart company struggling across the plains to Salt Lake City. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Pioneer family on the Oregon Trail
Covered wagon of a homesteader family heading west with their belongings. Hand-colored engraving combined with a photograph

NEBRASKA: SETTLERS, 1886. The Chrisman Sisters in front of a sod house in Goheen Valley, Custer County, Nebraska. Photograph by Solomon D. Butcher, 1886

Oregon Trail pioneers passing Chimney Rock
Covered wagons passing Chimney Rock, a landmark on the Oregon Trail, Nebraska. Hand-colored woodcut combined with a photograph of Chimney Rock

Putting in seed on a bonanza farm, 1800s
Seeding grain on a bonanza farm, North Dakota, early 1890s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

HSET2A-00007
Families in covered wagons crossing the plains. Hand-colored engraving of a 19th-century illustration

0008627
RAILWAY POSTER, 1870s. A Chicago and North-Western Railway poster of the 1870s promoting free homestead lands in the Dakota Territory

HSET2A-00111
Wagon train of pioneers moving west, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Homesteaders and their home, between c1900 and c1930. Creator: Unknown
Homesteaders and their home, between c1900 and c1930

Western Ranch House, c1888. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Western Ranch House, c1888. Farm equipment, horses, wagons, dogs and people posed in front of western ranch houses

Bill Stagg, homesteader, with pinto beans, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Bill Stagg, homesteader, with pinto beans, Pie Town, New Mexico

Mrs. Norris with homegrown cabbage, one of the many vegetables... Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Mrs. Norris with homegrown cabbage, one of the many vegetables which the homesteaders grow in abundance, Pie Town, New Mexico

Mr. Leatherman, homesteader, with his work burros in front of his barn, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940
Mr. Leatherman, homesteader, with his work burros [donkeys] in front of his barn, Pie Town, New Mexico

Mrs. Jim Norris with homegrown cabbage, one of the many vegetables... Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Mrs. [Jim] Norris with homegrown cabbage, one of the many vegetables which the homesteaders grow in abundance, Pie Town, New Mexico

Mr. Leatherman, homesteader, coming out of his dugout home, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Mr. Leatherman, homesteader, coming out of his dugout home, Pie Town, New Mexico

Mr. Leatherman, homesteader, tying up cauliflower, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Mr. Leatherman, homesteader, tying up cauliflower, Pie Town, New Mexico

Mr. Leatherman, homesteader, shooting hawks... Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Mr. Leatherman, homesteader, shooting hawks which have been carrying away his chickens, Pie Town, New Mexico

Jim Norris, homesteader, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Jim Norris, homesteader, Pie Town, New Mexico

Les Thomas, homesteader, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Les Thomas, homesteader, Pie Town, New Mexico

Jim Norris, homesteader, cutting a head of cabbage, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Jim Norris, homesteader, cutting a head of cabbage, Pie Town, New Mexico

Jim Norris and wife, homesteaders, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Jim Norris and wife, homesteaders, Pie Town, New Mexico

Jack Whinery, homesteader, repairing fence which he built with slabs, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Jack Whinery, homesteader, repairing fence which he built with slabs, Pie Town, New Mexico

Jack Whinery, homesteader, with his wife and the youngest of his five... Pie Town, New Mexico
Jack Whinery, homesteader, with his wife and the youngest of his five children, Pie Town, New Mexico

Homesteader feeding his daughter at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair free barbeque, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Homesteader feeding his daughter at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair free barbeque

Homesteader and his children eating barbeque at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Homesteader and his children eating barbeque at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair

Group of homesteaders in front of the bean house... Pie Town, New Mexico Fair, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Group of homesteaders in front of the bean house which was used for exhibit hall at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair

Faro and Doris Caudill, homesteaders, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Faro and Doris Caudill, homesteaders, Pie Town, New Mexico

Bill Stagg, homesteader, in front of his barn, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Bill Stagg, homesteader, in front of his barn, Pie Town, New Mexico

Jack Whinery and his family, homesteaders, Pie Town, New Mexico, 1940. Creator: Russell Lee
Jack Whinery and his family, homesteaders, Pie Town, New Mexico

FSA borrower cultivating his sugar cane field, vicinity of Frederiksted, St. Croix, V. I. 1941. Creator: Jack Delano
Farm Security Administration borrower cultivating his sugar cane field, vicinity of Frederiksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. He lives in one of the homestead houses

Farmer-homesteaders of Nebraska cutting fences of cattlemen in Custer County
PNP249868 Farmer-homesteaders of Nebraska cutting fences of cattlemen in Custer County, 1885 (b/w photo) by American Photographer

Homesteaders rushing into the Cherokee Strip, 16th September 1893 (b / w photo)
PNP246289 Homesteaders rushing into the Cherokee Strip, 16th September 1893 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

NEW MEXICO: PIE TOWN, 1940. Homesteader Jack Whinery repairing a fence in Pie Town, New Mexico. Photograh by Russell Lee, September 1940

NEBRASKA: SETTLERS, 1892. A homesteader family in front of their sod house dugout on the South Loup River, Custer County, Nebraska. Photograph by Solomon D. Butcher, 1892

Oregon Trail wagons camping for the night
Pioneers camp at sunset along the Oregon Trail, 1850s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Settlers plumping mill for grinding corn
Frontier settlers plumping mill for grinding corn. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Oxen dying of thirst on a wagon trail
A desperate situation, the death of oxen pulling a covered wagon. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Covered wagons crossing the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

HSET2A-00003
Sod house of a homesteader family on the Great Plains, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Covered wagon on the prairie
A " prairie schooner" heading west. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Oregon Trail pioneers on the Great Plains
Families in covered wagons crossing the plains. Hand-colored engraving combined with photo of western Nebraska

Dugout home covered with prairie sod
A dugout covered with sod, home of a prairie homesteader, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Sod home of a pioneer family on the plains
Prairie homestead family preparing for winter at their sod home. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Homestead in Dakota Territory, 1800s
Homesteaders cabins marking their claims in the Red River Valley, North Dakota, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

The Grand Rush at Noon of 16th September: Looking East Along the South Line of Indian
BAL129709 The Grand Rush at Noon of 16th September: Looking East Along the South Line of Indian School Reserve, 1893 (engraving) by Perard, V

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"Homesteader: Pioneering the American Dream" Step back in time to the late 19th century, a period of great exploration and opportunity. The Oklahoma Territory opened its doors to settlers in 1891, beckoning brave souls seeking a fresh start. Among them were the Mormons, who faced an unexpected challenge when caught in a treacherous prairie blizzard en route to Utah. Meanwhile, on the plains of Kansas, another struggle was unfolding - the Free Soil versus slavery conflict in the 1850s. Determined individuals fought for their beliefs and carved out new lives amidst heated tensions. Venturing further westward along the Oregon Trail, pioneers passed by iconic landmarks like Chimney Rock as they embarked on their arduous journey towards uncharted territories. These intrepid souls sought not only fertile lands but also freedom from societal constraints. In Nebraska's Goheen Valley, we find inspiration through the Chrisman Sisters standing proudly before their humble sod house. Their resilience embodies the spirit of countless homesteaders who built homes from scratch with determination and resourcefulness. The bonanza farms symbolize hope for prosperity as settlers put in seed during this era of rapid agricultural expansion. With hard work and perseverance, these farmers aimed to cultivate bountiful harvests that would sustain both themselves and growing communities. However, not all shared this vision of progress; pro-slavery sentiments persisted even within Kansas' borders during this transformative period. Conflicting ideologies clashed fiercely as people fought for what they believed was right. Finally, let us not forget one of history's most thrilling spectacles -the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1893 captured forever in black-and-white photographs that transport us back to that exhilarating moment when thousands raced against time to claim their piece of land. Homesteading encapsulates bravery, resilience, and ambition - qualities embodied by those who dared venture into unknown frontiers armed with nothing more than dreams and determination.