Full Citation

Title: The Mystery of the 160-acre Farms: Farm-Level Evidence from California, 1860-1880

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2010

ISBN:

ISSN:

DOI:

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID:

Abstract: This paper uses individual and farm-level data from California for 1860-1880 to understand a puzzle related to 160-acre farms. In 1860, 35 percent of farms in the sample were 160 acres. Surprisingly, these farms differed systematically from other similar farms in their share of improved acres. For example, on 160-acre farms, 42 percent of the acreage was improved, whereas on 80-239 (excluding 160) acre farms, 77 percent was improved. These differences were not attributable to the age, occupation, or ownership status of the farmer or to the quality of the land. Further, the differences diminished over time. The most likely reason for the difference is the Preemption Acts of 1841 and 1853, which gave farmers incentives to claim exactly 160 acres but weak property rights prior to actual purchase.

Url: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.208.7514&rep=rep1&type=pdf

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Clay, Karen

Publisher: Carnegie Mellon University and NBER

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Other

Countries: