Federal Land Office (Steubenville, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Federal Land Office
|
|
Federal Land Office
|
|
 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Steubenville, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1801 |
| Architectural style | Log Cabin |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001482 |
| Added to NRHP | April 3, 1973 |
The Federal Land Office was a special government building in Steubenville, Ohio. It was where the United States government sold public lands to people who wanted to settle there. Today, this historic building is on the property of a museum, right next to a rebuilt Fort Steuben. In 1973, the Federal Land Office was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened when it was still at a different spot about a mile away. It was later moved to its current location to help preserve it.
Contents
History of the Federal Land Office
How Land Was Sold
In 1800, the United States Congress passed an important law called the Harrison Land Act. This law created four special offices to sell government land. These offices were in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chillicothe, Ohio, Marietta, Ohio, and Steubenville, Ohio. The office in Steubenville was in charge of selling land in an area called the Steubenville Land District. This district included parts of the Seven Ranges and other lands to the north.
Each land office had two main leaders. One was called the "Register of the Land Office." This person was chosen by the President and approved by the Senate. Their job was to keep careful records of all the land sales. The other leader was the "receiver of public monies." This person collected the payments for the land. Sales at the Steubenville office began in 1801. People could pay for their land over several years. The officers had to keep very detailed notes about who bought what land and how much they paid. Once someone paid in full, they would receive a "patent," which was like a deed proving they owned the land.
The First Building and Its Moves
President John Adams chose David Hoge to be the first Register for the Steubenville office. David Hoge bought some land on Third Street from Bezaleel Wells, who founded Steubenville. He then built a two-story log cabin. This cabin served as both his home and the official land office.
In 1809, the log cabin was moved to a new spot. About 12 years later, it was covered up by a brick building. People didn't know the log cabin was there until 1940, when it was discovered! Citizens of Jefferson County, Ohio worked hard to save and preserve this important piece of history.
Important People and Changes
In 1807, another law was passed that created a new land office in Canton, Ohio. This new office was for the lands north of the Seven Ranges. Because of this, the Steubenville Land District became smaller.
David Hoge was the Register for a very long time, from 1801 until 1841. Other important people who served as "receivers" at the office included Zaccheus Biggs, Obadiah Jennings, Peter Wilson, General Samuel Stokely, and John Viers. The Federal Land Office in Steubenville finally closed in 1840. Over the years, hundreds of these Federal Land Offices were set up across the United States as the country grew.
