Homesteading in the Arizona High Country

The Call of the West: Settling in Northern Arizona The late 1800s saw an influx of settlers drawn by the promise of land and opportunity. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres of federal land to anyone willing to cultivate it, spurring migration into Northern Arizona. Families packed their belongings and braved long, treacherous journeys to stake their claims in the high country. Visit our Pioneers Page For More Interesting Stories! Prescott, established as the Arizona Territory’s first capital, quickly became a hub for ranching and farming. Its pine-covered hills and fertile valleys supported crops such as corn, wheat, and vegetables, while livestock roamed expansive pastures. Flagstaff, with its towering ponderosa pines, became a central point for cattle drives. Ranchers moved livestock through the area, benefiting from Flagstaff’s proximity to the Santa Fe Railroad, which transported cattle to distant markets.