[marron]

The notion of crown lands or government land is so pervasive in law that it was not considered worthy of separate mention.

I'm not sure that holds in the US. When they bought the Louisiana Purchase, for example, and as the borders spread west, it never occurred to them to limit where settlers could settle (aside from Indian treaty lands). They eventually began to police it somewhat, but the idea that government should own the land forever came, when, in Teddy Roosevelt's era?

I believe that is when government ownership of the land solidified and the land was withdrawn from settlement.

I don't oppose federal ownership of real estate for specific purposes but holding large chunks of land in perpetuity is not proper.

[little jeremiah]

Townships used to have “commons” - used for pasture, wood, etc.

Local government owned land, where the people who live there can decide what kind of common use they want for it.

[AndyJackson]

the idea that government should own the land forever came, when, in Teddy Roosevelt's era?

Actually with the founding fathers. Article IV sec 3: "The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States "