Land Run

Land run (sometimes "land rush" ) usually refers to an historical event in which previously restricted land of the United States was opened to homestead on a first arrival basis. Some newly opened lands were sold first-come, sold by bid, or won by lottery, or by means other than a run. The settlers, no matter how they acquired occupancy, purchased the land from the United States Land Office. For former Indian lands, the Land Office distributed the sales funds to the various tribal entities, according to previously negotiated terms. The Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 was the most prominent of the land runs, although there were several others, as enumerated below.