The Small Tract Act of 1938, also known as the Izac Five-Acre Tract Law, was a piece of legislation enacted in the United States that allowed for the lease or sale of small parcels of public land to individuals for various purposes, such as residential, recreational, health, or business use. The act aimed to provide opportunities for people to acquire smaller tracts of land, not exceeding five acres in size, from the Federal Government. The first applications were received in 1940 and there were over 250 submitted in the first two weeks to the Los Angeles Land Office, which was managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) The key distinction between the 5-acre tract enactment and previous established homestead and desert claim acts lies in the primary purpose of the land. Unlike the earlier acts that focused on creating a livelihood for the occupant, the 5-acre tract legislation emphasized the establishment of a home with a primary emphasis on recreational, health, and personal fulfillment purposes. This shift recognized the desire of individuals to connect with nature, seek solace in the open spaces, and embrace a simpler lifestyle, prioritizing personal well-being and enjoyment of the land rather than solely relying on it for economic sustenance.
After a quick search on Redfin, you will discover that these tiny dwellings are abundant in the Southern California desert region, with a large majority of them located in Twentynine Palms and Wonder Valley. They are called “Jackrabbit Homesteads” that were sold by the U.S. Government to individuals and families under the Small Tract Act of 1938.
Have you ever seen small cabins along stretches of vacant land in the region of Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Wonder Valley? The small structures seem random, a solitary cabin in the middle of an otherwise barren parcel without any paved roads leading to or from it. Some have been vandalized and are only shells, others look well-kept and have a unique charm about them.
The Los Angeles Times called the phenomena “one of the strangest land rushes in Southern California history.” Hundreds of applicants flooded regional land offices managed by the Bureau of Land Management after reading how simple it was to file a claim, just as Catherine Venn had done. Hoarding her gasoline rations allowed a drive to the desert in search of her grab bag parcel. To her delight, her five acres “proved to be fairly level except for a slice of wash, part of a knoll, and nearly all of a little rock hill” for which she would name her new land. Fortunately, a fellow homesteader had bulldozed a road nearby making Rock Hill accessible from the highway, in what is now Cahuilla Hills in Palm Desert, Section 36.
The Los Angeles Times called the phenomena “one of the strangest land rushes in Southern California history.” Hundreds of applicants flooded regional land offices managed by the Bureau of Land Management after reading how simple it was to file a claim, just as Catherine Venn had done. Hoarding her gasoline rations allowed a drive to the desert in search of her grab bag parcel. To her delight, her five acres “proved to be fairly level except for a slice of wash, part of a knoll, and nearly all of a little rock hill” for which she would name her new land. Fortunately, a fellow homesteader had bulldozed a road nearby making Rock Hill accessible from the highway, in what is now Cahuilla Hills in Palm Desert, Section 36.
The Small Tract Act of 1938, also known as the Izac Five-Acre Tract Law, was a piece of legislation enacted in the United States that allowed for the lease or sale of small parcels of public land to individuals for various purposes, such as residential, recreational, health, or business use. The act aimed to provide opportunities for people to acquire smaller tracts of land, not exceeding five acres in size, from the Federal Government. The first applications were received in 1940 and there were over 250 submitted in the first two weeks to the Los Angeles Land Office, which was managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
The key distinction between the 5-acre tract enactment and previous established homestead and desert claim acts lies in the primary purpose of the land. Unlike the earlier acts that focused on creating a livelihood for the occupant, the 5-acre tract legislation emphasized the establishment of a home with a primary emphasis on recreational, health, and personal fulfillment purposes. This shift recognized the desire of individuals to connect with nature, seek solace in the open spaces, and embrace a simpler lifestyle, prioritizing personal well-being and enjoyment of the land rather than solely relying on it for economic sustenance.
Super cute house in Mojave Desert
It really is!
After a quick search on Redfin, you will discover that these tiny dwellings are abundant in the Southern California desert region, with a large majority of them located in Twentynine Palms and Wonder Valley. They are called “Jackrabbit Homesteads” that were sold by the U.S. Government to individuals and families under the Small Tract Act of 1938.
Have you ever seen small cabins along stretches of vacant land in the region of Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Wonder Valley? The small structures seem random, a solitary cabin in the middle of an otherwise barren parcel without any paved roads leading to or from it. Some have been vandalized and are only shells, others look well-kept and have a unique charm about them.
The Los Angeles Times called the phenomena “one of the strangest land rushes in Southern California history.” Hundreds of applicants flooded regional land offices managed by the Bureau of Land Management after reading how simple it was to file a claim, just as Catherine Venn had done.
Hoarding her gasoline rations allowed a drive to the desert in search of her grab bag parcel. To her delight, her five acres “proved to be fairly level except for a slice of wash, part of a knoll, and nearly all of a little rock hill” for which she would name her new land. Fortunately, a fellow homesteader had bulldozed a road nearby making Rock Hill accessible from the highway, in what is now Cahuilla Hills in Palm Desert, Section 36.
😮😮😮😮😮
thank you my friend
The Los Angeles Times called the phenomena “one of the strangest land rushes in Southern California history.” Hundreds of applicants flooded regional land offices managed by the Bureau of Land Management after reading how simple it was to file a claim, just as Catherine Venn had done.
Hoarding her gasoline rations allowed a drive to the desert in search of her grab bag parcel. To her delight, her five acres “proved to be fairly level except for a slice of wash, part of a knoll, and nearly all of a little rock hill” for which she would name her new land. Fortunately, a fellow homesteader had bulldozed a road nearby making Rock Hill accessible from the highway, in what is now Cahuilla Hills in Palm Desert, Section 36.
How is it homesteading with power???? Ya'll are no more than glamping
its a homestead cabin. One of the original ones.