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1866 - 1870
The Homestead Act of 1862, which had been signed earlier during the war, begins to see significant use as former soldiers and others seek land in the Great Plains. -
1865 - End of the American Civil War
April 9: Confederate forces surrender at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, officially ending the Civil War. -
1870s
The cattle drive era begins, with herds of cattle being driven from Texas up through the Great Plains to railheads in the north for shipment to markets. -
1880s
The development of barbed wire and other fencing materials makes it easier to enclose and protect large tracts of land for farming. -
1880s
The buffalo hunting era peaks in the Great Plains, leading to the near-extinction of the buffalo population. -
1880s
The first large-scale wheat farming operations begin in the Great Plains, particularly in areas like Kansas and Nebraska. -
1890s
The population of the Great Plains explodes as more and more settlers arrive to farm the fertile land. -
1890s
Drought conditions begin to emerge in some parts of the Great Plains, foreshadowing future challenges with water supply. -
Early 1900s
The construction of irrigation systems begins in some areas to counter the effects of drought. -
Early 1900s
The Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 and subsequent land rushes bring tens of thousands of settlers to the area. -
Mid-to-Late 1900s
The Dust Bowl era of the 1930s hits the Great Plains hard, with severe drought and wind erosion causing widespread crop failures and displacement. -
Mid-to-Late 1900s
Federal programs like the Soil Conservation Service are established to help farmers restore and protect their land. -
1900
After the Dust Bowl, many farmers adopt more sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation and terracing.