Kineth Farm, Barn, 19162 STATE ROUTE 20, Coupeville, Island County, WA

Significance: With the passing of the Donation Land Claim (DLC) Act in 1850, Congress agreed to grant land in the Oregon Territory to American settlers willing to farm it. It was during this time when settlement of Central Whidbey Island accelerated. In 1853 the Kineth and Smith families arrived on the island, claiming land on the south east coast of Penn Cove, and farming together for six years.

John and Julie A. Kineth purchased 160 acres of Smith's original DLC in 1859. It passed to John H. Kineth Jr. who built the house, barn, and adjoining buildings. The property then passed to Kineth's son, Arthur. In 1968 Arthur Kineth sold the farm to Island Savings and Loan with plans to develop the land into five and ten acres lots. A five acre lot with the Kineth house, barn, and outbuildings changed hands a few times, until 1974 when it was purchased by George Lloyd, who still owns the property today.

The Kineth farm is credited with being the first on the island with electricity. An intricate system of pumps, tanks, and cisterns brought running water to the farm house and livestock. As farming science and technology advanced, so did the landscape of the Kineth farm. The farm began as a small dairy, selling cream and milk locally. It eventually expanded to include poultry and hogs, and later transitioned into sheep herds raised for wool and meat.

The barn is a typical construction type found in the area. Its hip-on-gable roof and two-story interior central space allowed ample room to store loose hay, with animal pens and milking stalls around the perimeter. And although the building has been adapted into sales spaces for Salmagundi Farms, it has been minimally altered and still expresses its original uses.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N1382
Survey number: HABS WA-248-A
Building/structure dates: ca. 1900 Initial Construction