With the establishment of a U.S. Land Office at Third and Wisconsin, Huron became the hub for settlement of the James River Valley area. When the doors opened for business at 9am on October 9, 1882, a line of settlers hoping to file claims stretched east to Dakota Avenue and then north to Second Street. Many had arrived the day before and spent long hours waiting in line. Homesteaders arriving on the train had teams of horses waiting for the race to the office. William T. Love, at the forefront, was so intent on being first in the door that he stood with his hand on the knob and when the doors opened for business, he literally fell inside.