Stoddard Barn – Lake City (Whitesitt) Dairy Park

Hayden, Kootenai County

• Grants: 2023 – Wildlife Abatement and Security

Location: 2355 W Prairie Avenue, Hayden, Idaho 83835

First mention of this site can be found in Land Patent Records for Kootenai County, where it is noted Mathias Miller obtained 160 acres of land at this location in June of 1893. In 1910, a judge approved the passing of a parcel of this land to John B. Taylor as part of Mr. Miller’s estate, and a farmhouse was later built in 1924. In 1930, the Whitesitts purchased the land and founded the modest Lake City Dairy. Their heard of 30 cows were milked every day at 4AM, and the Whitesitts would deliver the fresh milk daily to local residents in time for most folks’ breakfasts.

In 1950, the stately silo was added next to the born, and in 1951, the operation and its name was sold to the Whitesitt’s nephew, who promptly moved the dairy to Cougar Gulch just south of Couer d’Alene. However, the gorgeous barn and matching silo remain at their original sight to this day.

In 2005, the City of Hayden took over the property in 2005 and converted the grounds into a park, and the barn has been used for storage by the Parks & Recreation department ever since. Restoration is currently underway to allow safe public access to one of Hayden’s most visible historic sites.