Roberta Bobbi King

The Homestead Papers of Enos A. Mills Roberta Bobbi King

The Homestead Act of 1862 opened up wide swaths of American territories on the public lands that the federal government made available to homesteaders, for free. The opportunities attracted immigrants fleeing the crowded conditions of Europe; the Easterner yearning for open land and clear skies out West; the women of independent spirit who carved homes and ranches out of unsettled land; and citizens of color who sought free ownership and free life the homestead laws promised. These are the homestead papers filed by Enos A. Mills, the Father of Rocky Mountain National Park. He began his claim in 1893 and filed his proof papers in 1898. The value in reading these papers is understanding exactly how he spent five years working his tract, the improvements made, understanding his efforts and how he spent his days seeking this "free" tract grant. The papers provide evidence of exactly where Enos lived for five years of his life, a segment of time which may not be available to a family researcher in any other way.