In 1974, Vietnam veteran moved to Alaska; 14 years later he made US history
In 1974, Kenneth Deardorff, a Vietnam veteran with a geography degree, settled in Alaska after deciding to build a life in the remote wilderness. He eventually claimed land along the Stony River, becoming the last person to receive a homestead title under the US Homestead Act in 1988. Deardorff's life in Alaska involved hunting, trapping, and operating a small general store, all while dealing with the isolation and harsh conditions of the Alaskan frontier.
His journey from a California native to a homesteader in the state's remote wilderness represents the closing chapter of a federal programme that encouraged settlement across the country, and a testament to determination and self-reliance.
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