Staking Her Claim: Women Homesteading the West

by Marcia Meredith Hensley

Instead of talking about the rights of women, these frontier women grabbed the opportunity to become landowners by homesteading in the still wild west of the early 1900s. Here they tell their stories in their own words-through letters and articles of the time-of adventure, independence, foolhardiness, failure, and freedom.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting compilation of letters, newspaper articles and personal interviews with women who homesteaded alone in the United States -- some of them made it, others didn't. I wish their entire life stories were on record, because these tidbits were so tantalizing. They were an adventuresome bunch whose courage hasn't been given enough recognition. Kudos to the author for doing the hard work of digging up some of these wonderful stories.

[Julie Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was amazing to read about women leaving their comfortable lives to commit to living alone as a homesteader in South Dakota and Wyoming. Much of the information collected in this book are letters women wrote back to their friends and families in the east. Other information was borrowed from other collections about these hardy, self-confident women. This is a book you can lay down on a table and pick it up occasionally and read a chapter.

I went to visit my friend in Wyoming and picked this book up while I was there. She is a 66 year old widow who runs a horse ranch by herself where she cares and breeds high quality quarter horses by herself. I watched her with amazement. She looks wonderful and takes care of herself and this property with delight. She comes from homesteader stock. People who are great neighbors who band together and help each other when they need help. This book taught me just how these people learn to survive being alone in a harsh environment with their only neighbors several miles away. They find enjoyment in a simpler life than many people can manage. They are in tune with nature and respect the environment. Staying in Wyoming for a week along with the reading this book has been very enlightening.

[Myriam Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, kiddos to those young women who defied their families, with courage & gusto to homestead the west. These were not your poor women they came from well to do families who had been pampered & took on the challenge to forge their own futures. Some married others stayed single to fulfill their dreams. They conquered with zest & bravery, dared those who said it can’t be done. Thankyou to their families who shared the diaries for us to enjoy.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a collection of primary sources documenting the single woman homesteader's experience. And that's how I like my history: pure and undiluted :) These women were cool! Reading their letters and memoirs and articles brought me into their world just a bit, and I loved learning that they had quite a presence in the west along with the cowboys and other male homesteaders and families. Their stories even inspired me in my life as I myself am planning a big and scary move west. All the way west to China. I'm going to need their bravery, strength, and emotional fortitude to succeed. Thanks, ladies.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The easy-going language and candor of the writers make this a heart-warming read. My personal favourites were the sections of memoirs and biographies towards the end of the book, as they offered the most complete pictures of the authors' lives and experiences. Hensley does minimal editing on the accounts, so you get the full pleasure of each woman's individual voice as if you are speaking with them personally. Reading this book was a wonderful experience and I have a whole new crop of heroes for support now.

[Pat Delwiche · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enlightening view into an aspect of American history I thought I understood. The author attempted to dispel the myth that individuals availing themselves of land through the 1862 Homestead Act were all men, or the reluctant wives of those men. The women whose voices we hear in this anthology were single at the time they chose to claim land in the American West. Equally surprising, at least to me, was the revelation that homesteading continued well into the 20th century. Who knew that land was available for the taking even in the 1930s? The voices of several women homesteaders were heard in their letters, written memoirs and oral histories, and in stories about them in the popular press. The author’s voice, like that of a good tour guide, is clear, and distinguishable from the other voices.

[Gretchen Beerline · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a woman who lives in Wyoming, I found this book quite interesting. It offered a variety of accounts of women homesteading alone. Some accounts were memoirs, others excerpts from letters, and still others were third hand accounts. Together they offer many insights into the trials, emotions, and successes of the women. Sometimes the stories were a bit long and/or repetitive, hence the 4 stars. The book left me with a new appreciation for the courage, spunk, and tenacity of the women who set out to “make good” on a claim in harsh country.

[Hayley Kopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book when I first moved to my mom's homestead in Grandview, Oregon. It was inspiring to read the book as I'm adjusting, myself, to a life out of the city and into the sagebrush. Where I live now is also historically where people lived during the homesteading act. Reading the book was relatable and reassured me that we aren't that crazy; that there's a hell of a lot of history backing our adventure.

[Elsa Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond my childhood fascination with Little House on the Prairie, I had no idea what homesteading in the West was all about since I’m from the East. The letters and historical information put forth by the author gave me a clear image of what it was like for these women who came from different backgrounds.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some taken from newspaper accounts, some from diaries, some letters, great first-person stories.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and researched history about the West and the importance of homesteading through the words of single women who actually did it.

[Andrea Hessey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating view to the toughness of women in search of adventure, independence, and financial solidity. Told in letters, memoires, magazine articles, and interviews, with helpful background and context by the author, the varied stories are a great picture of why and how single women established and proved-up on their homesteads throughout the West. My only disappointment was that they hired men to do most of the building and farming work, but then there seemed to be more work to be done than one person could do alone, regardless of their gender. A fascinating read with some evocative pictures and a map to help place the women in their chosen spots.

[Kt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to women homesteaders. The book had some interesting information in it. I was hoping for more of the letters of the ladies mentioned, instead of the short edited versions that were included.

[Chiska]

I'm still working on this one. I've learned a lot about single women homesteaders that I never knew. Some of my basic assumptions have been destroyed. That's always a good thing isn't it?

[Drew]

Staking Her Claim: Women Homesteading the West by Marcia Meredith Hensley (2008)

[Tina Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

got this as a Christmas present--looks interesting!

[kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-fiction account of women homesteaders in Wyoming and other western states. Not great literature but taken from letters and diaries - so much more amazing than fiction!

[Kathleen Diermier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the old west you won't find on the Western Channel.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got a little to repetitive for me. Interesting but to slow. Great to scan.