countrydon
05-22-2008, 08:48 AM
I have read these pages for several years and have finally decided to contribute. Many on here are looking for the a place to begin their life in the country. Each day I drive by dozens of possible 2-3 acre sites that the current owner is not utilizing.
I live in the north central part of Oklahoma which was settled by homesteaders in the land run in 1893. Each participant was allowed 160 acres and was required to build a home and live on the property. Most of the land stayed in family farms until the 1950's when many of the second generation after the run sold their property and moved to town. Many of the homes and buildings were abandoned as the property was bought by neighbors who only required the farm land. In many cases the buildings were torn down and the property returned to farm land. Others are the gems I speak of.
The typical abandoned homesite still has a barn and outbuildings and possibily a farm house in various stages of disrepair. Usually a windmill or pumphouse marks the location of on old well. Occasionaly an old orchard will found. Normally electricity will be available or was at one time
Disadvantages. Weeds head high or taller, abandoned farm machinery, collapsing cisterns (good to know where they are ahead of time) old foundations. The disadvantages are why the current owner has simply farmed around the "eyesore" and not returned it to farm land.
Finding dozens of locations in an afternoon of driving is certainly possible here. I sure many areas of the country are the same. Landowners names can be found in the county courthouse. Best situation here is for the current landowner to have no emotional attachment to the land. If they grew up on the home site then less likely they will want to sell.
Kinda long for my first post, but hope this has been helpful
I live in the north central part of Oklahoma which was settled by homesteaders in the land run in 1893. Each participant was allowed 160 acres and was required to build a home and live on the property. Most of the land stayed in family farms until the 1950's when many of the second generation after the run sold their property and moved to town. Many of the homes and buildings were abandoned as the property was bought by neighbors who only required the farm land. In many cases the buildings were torn down and the property returned to farm land. Others are the gems I speak of.
The typical abandoned homesite still has a barn and outbuildings and possibily a farm house in various stages of disrepair. Usually a windmill or pumphouse marks the location of on old well. Occasionaly an old orchard will found. Normally electricity will be available or was at one time
Disadvantages. Weeds head high or taller, abandoned farm machinery, collapsing cisterns (good to know where they are ahead of time) old foundations. The disadvantages are why the current owner has simply farmed around the "eyesore" and not returned it to farm land.
Finding dozens of locations in an afternoon of driving is certainly possible here. I sure many areas of the country are the same. Landowners names can be found in the county courthouse. Best situation here is for the current landowner to have no emotional attachment to the land. If they grew up on the home site then less likely they will want to sell.
Kinda long for my first post, but hope this has been helpful