 |
| From 1863 to 1977, United States citizens could claim 16O-acre
parcels in the Mojave Desert from the Federal Government—though not
after 1936 in the area that became Joshua Tree National Monument. Claimants
had three years to "prove up" on their property, which meant building
a small cabin and an outhouse. After sending a photo of the improvements
to Washington, D.C., the homesteader received a deed to his property. |
|
| Several wet years beginning in 1912 provided for crops good enough to
attract people to the area. Veterans of World War I, suffering the effects
of mustard gas, came hoping to benefit from the dry desert climate. Later,
because of hard times created by the depression, some people sought out
a rural lifestyle where they could raise their own food without relying
on unstable markets and inflated prices. |
| But the rains didn’t last. Several years passed with little or no
rainfall and the crops failed. Homesteaders drilled water wells, but most
were unsuccessful. In many cases water had to be hauled several miles even
for household purposes. Conflicts between homesteaders and ranchers over
water rights became common. |
| Life in the desert presented other challenges: Summers were extreme for
those used to more temperate climates; the work was hard and neighbors far
away. Few homesteaders met the challenge. Many farms and small homesteads
were abandoned, leaving behind the tiny cabins which still litter the desert
in some places. |
| One family that not only survived but thrived in the desert was that
of Bill and Frances Keys. For more
information about them, take a guided tour of their ranch. |
|
Top of Page | Previous
Page | Joshua Tree Home
|
 |
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/{culture/homesteading/homesteading.html}
last modified: 09/30/02
web editor: Sandra kaye |
