Convert Square Pole (pole²) to Homestead (homestead) instantly.
About these units
Square Pole (pole²)
A square pole is yet another equivalent to the square rod and square perch. The triple terminology reflects different regional dialects and occupational vocabularies within the British Isles. The persistence of three names for the same unit illustrates the decentralized nature of early measurement standards, where local custom often outweighed national regulation. Although modern metrication has replaced these units, they remain historically important when examining rural land divisions and genealogical land records.
Homestead (homestead)
A homestead is not a strictly fixed area unit but historically referred to land parcels granted under the U.S. Homestead Act of 1862, typically 160 acres, or 1/4 of a section. These homesteads were offered to settlers willing to cultivate and improve the land. The 160-acre parcel was chosen to be large enough to sustain a family farm in many regions, though this proved inadequate in drier western areas. While no longer an official area unit, "homestead" is deeply embedded in American cultural memory and historical land-use patterns. In legal and historical contexts, it often implicitly means a quarter-section, preserving its measurement-like nature.