The true beginning of homesteading in Alaska began with the first tribes that occupied the land now known as The Last Frontier. The inception of American homesteading in Alaska began with the Homestead Act of 1862. The brainchild of Abraham Lincoln's administration, the Homestead Act was designed to encourage Americans to settle on the vast expanses of federal land and create new vibrant agricultural communities. The original act laid the groundwork for homesteading in The Last Frontier, and 1898 the Act was extended to include the territory of Alaska. By 1900 over 1.3 million homestead applications had been filed in the lower 48 under the tremendously popular program. Alaska, conversely, had seen only a measly 200 applications by 1914. Yet, Alaska would ultimately see a significant surge in applications following both the World Wars, and then again after Vietnam. Perhaps the residents of a no longer innocent America recaptured the concept of true pursuit of happiness being only to have a mule, 50 acres, and a dream alone to subsist on. Whatever the case may be, by the time Alaska achieved statehood in 1956 the number of active homesteads had surged to over 3,000.
Homesteaders in Alaska were of a uniquely tough ilk. Many of them walked or flew into some of the harshest geography on the planet and not only lived to tell their tale, but helped to make the image of a singular homesteader's log cabin alone in a sea of snow, northern lights over head, as representative of our great state as our very flag.
The last of the American homestead land was granted in the late eighties in Interior Alaska. Today there are not nearly as many homesteads left, and those that remain have changed a great deal. Many have private if crude airstrips, satellite television, and Internet access. Others have transformed into remote tourist destinations. But the impression of the homestead days remain fresh in Alaska's memory.
Once in a great while a property that recalls that simpler way of Alaskan life becomes available on the market. Even more uncommonly, a property that affords a homesteading lifestyle along with the conveniences of modern in-town living appears on the market. The family home and surrounding acreage of Nugget Farms in Fairbanks, Alaska is that rare kind of property.
Nugget Farm is situated on a Goldstream Valley hilltop, just minutes away from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the amenities of town, has an entire lifestyle to offer the right buyer. The home has 7.5 acres, a potato field, oat field, perennial plantings of artichoke, asparagus, onion, horseradish, serviceberries, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, maple, currants, ornamentals, a host of flowers, a HUGE garden, 4 greenhouses, 2 coldframes, well water to the garden and greenhouses, an enormous modern barn with cement floors, heat, drains, cottage-style chicken and turkey houses, a quaint felled birch hog pen, and charm that goes on for miles.
In addition to all of that, this is no tiny log homesteader's cabin! The property also has a beautiful five star energy rated fully modern home with three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a five person jacuzzi, and a view that will floor you of the cozy valley below. The sellers will leave this turn-key for the right offer, including an old tractor, tools, materials, lots more, and even your own flock of chickens if you want them to stay! This is ANY modern homesteader's dream.
Call April Frick of Somers and Associates at (907) 456-7653 or (907) 460-2310 for a private showing today! Click HERE to see the MLS listing under featured listings or search for other real estate.
