Webunder the homestead act of 1862, settlers could claim 160 acres of public land and receive title to the property after five years if they lived on and improved the plot. Webthe oklahoma land rush begins. As reported by the oklahoma. Webthe reported 1. 07 million acres in farms in 1890 is just 0. 5% more than the 1. 06 million patented acres circa 1890, while it is 78% lower than the 1. 92 million acres.