A Nebraska Land Lottery

Land registration at Broken Bow, held October 13-25, 1913. NSHS RG3335.PH4-56

The desire to own land and the availability of cheap land were important factors in the settlement of the West. U.S. government land laws in Nebraska between 1854 and 1904 moved much of the public domain into private ownership. Two laws especially important to this state were the Homestead Act in 1862, which gave applicants up to 160 acres of land in return for living on it and fulfilling certain conditions in developing it, and the Kinkaid Act of 1904, which gave each homesteader in designated areas of Nebraska 640 acres rather than 160.

As free land became scarce throughout the country, ways were found to distribute the remaining land,  classified into that suitable for farming and that suitable for grazing. In the former, 160-acre homesteads could be taken, and in the latter, 640 acres. In 1913, more than 76,000 people registered for tracts to be given away in a Nebraska land lottery. The land came from two sources: the Fort Niobrara military reservation, which had been abandoned by the army, and some U.S. forest reserve land.

 

Land registration at Broken Bow, held October 13-25, 1913. NSHS RG3335.PH4-57

The lottery was widely advertised by the railroads. Drawings were held at Valentine and Broken Bow, October 13-25, and at North Platte, beginning October 28, amid great excitement. There was also an active trade in “lucky numbers,” as many who didn’t really intend to live on the land sold their chances to aspiring farmers and ranchers. By today’s standards, the odds of winning were good. About two thousand of the applicants were successful.

Once on the land, success wasn’t so easy. The wet years and high prices of the World War I era were replaced by the low prices of the 1920s and the dry years of the 1930s. Many lottery winners eventually sold out to neighboring ranchers, and moved on.

– Patricia C. Gaster, Assistant Editor / Publications

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

Marker Monday: Kearney Cotton Mill

Marker Monday: Kearney Cotton Mill

No Irish Babies Born in Nebraska in 1912

No Irish Babies Born in Nebraska in 1912

Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, First Native American Woman Physician

Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, First Native American Woman Physician

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast.

Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.