Land Run of 1895 facts for kids
A land rush in progress.
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| Date | May 23, 1895 |
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| Location | Central Oklahoma |
| Also known as | Oklahoma Land Rush |
The Land Run of 1895 was a famous race for territory in the state of Oklahoma. A land run was an exciting event where people rushed to claim property. Settlers raced across the frontier on horseback, in wagons, and on foot. Whoever reached a plot of open ground first could claim it as their home. This historic rush was the fifth, the smallest, and the very last land run ever held in Oklahoma.
It officially took place on May 23, 1895. Before the event, the area belonged to the Native American Kickapoo people. The United States government divided up the Kickapoo lands. Each tribal member received 22,640 acres (91.6 square kilometres) of property in total across the tribe. The government then bought the rest of the land, which was 183,440 acres (742.4 km2), and opened it up to outside homesteaders.
Background of the Kickapoo Reservation
The original Kickapoo lands covered 206,662 acres (836.33 km2) in central Oklahoma. This territory was located between two flowing rivers, the Deep Fork and the North Canadian River. It bordered the older Sac and Fox reservation to the east and the line called the Indian meridian to the west.
Government officials wanted to break up tribal territories so new settlers could move in. Many tribal leaders did not want to sell their homeland. Because people debated these choices, the opening was delayed for five years after 1890. United States officials used unfair pressure to get tribal leaders to sign agreements. In 1893, Congress passed a new law to divide the territory. Finally, President Grover Cleveland signed the official order to start the race in 1895.
The Race for Land and Its Results
Only 88,000 acres (360 km2) were actually open for pioneers to claim. A large amount of property was kept safe for public schools. Thousands of eager settlers lined up along the border. When the race started, everyone dashed forward at once.
Because this was a small area, there was not enough room for every hopeful family. Many people argued over who reached a plot first, which caused disagreements and legal battles. To fix the problem, Oklahoma Territorial Governor William Cary Renfrow opened up another 90,000 acres (360 km2) of school property. Families could lease this ground to build farms.
The wild race led to the quick founding of new frontier towns. Communities like McLoud, Wellston, Kickapoo, Hagar, and North Wichita, Oklahoma grew quickly. The rush also made Lincoln, Pottawatomie, and Oklahoma counties much larger. Because land runs caused so much chaos, government leaders never held another one. They later used calmer methods like lotteries to distribute new lands.
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