| Other names | 1891 Oklahoma Land Rush |
|---|---|
| Location | Tecumseh, Oklahoma |
| Date | September 22, 1891 |
The Land Run of 1891 was a set of horse races to settle land acquired by the federal government through the opening of several small Indian reservations in Oklahoma Territory. The race involved approximately 20,000 homesteaders, who gathered to stake their claims on 6097 160 acres (0.65 km2) plots of former reservation land.[1]
The settlement that took place in September 1891 included three land runs. On September 22, 1891, a land run was held to settle Iowa, Sac and Fox, Potawatomi, and Shawnee lands. A September 23, 1891 land run was held to settle Tecumseh, the pre-designated location of the county seat of County B, later renamed as Pottawatomie County. Finally, on September, 28, 1891, a land run was held to settle Chandler, the pre-designated location of the county seat of County A, later renamed as Lincoln County.
These land runs also expanded Payne, Logan, Oklahoma and Cleveland counties.[1]
The Indian reservation land was broken up through allotment following a proclamation by President Benjamin Harrison. Members of the tribe each received 160 acres (0.65 km2) of land.[2] Once tribe members had each received an allotment, the remaining land was purchased from those tribes and put on the block for sale to settlers who took part in the land run at $1.25 per acre.[2]