Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:
Wisconsin and Its Resources-Public Lands

Wisconsin Public Land Surveys

About Surveyors' Notes and Plat Maps of Wisconsin


Read More About It

"The History of Wisconsin, From Exploration to Statehood" by Alice E. Smith


Vocabulary:

claims union
land titles
speculators


Interesting Fact:

During the public land sale, there were 54 individuals or partnerships with eastern or foreign currency that purchased at least a thousand acres each.


Study Questions:

  • How much did land cost in Wisconsin in 1839?
  • When did the federal government survey the land in Wisconsin? What all did a survey entail?
  • What were squatters? What problems did they cause?


    U.S. historical events that occurred on February 21:

    1878: The first telephone directory in the U.S. is published.
    1885: The Washington Monument is dedicated.
    1973: President Richard Nixon begins his historic trip to China by arriving in Shanghai.



    • February 21

    February 21, 1839: Public land sales were offered in Milwaukee. Settlers united to form claims unions in order to protect their land titles from speculators.

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