LaCrosse- The Port of Whitman County transferred a 5,000 square foot parcel in LaCrosse, Washington to LaCrosse Community Pride (LCP), a local community organization. The transaction comes after the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) realized that part of LCP’s rock bunkhouses were located on a WSDOT-owned former railroad right-of-way. 

Determining the parcel to be surplus to their needs, WSDOT transferred the land to the Port in early 2026. The transfer is consistent with RCW 47.76.300, which states that publicly owned railroad property not essential for the operation of rail service may be transferred to a public entity if it serves the public interest. Once the Port owned the property, it had the authority to sell the parcel. 

“We were happy to work with WSDOT and LaCrosse Community Pride to resolve the property issue,” Commission President Karl Webber said. “Ports are granted broad authority to act in the public’s best interest. This sale is not only in the public’s best interest but the State’s as well. WSDOT surpluses property it no longer needs, LaCrosse Community Pride gains ownership of all land underneath the bunkhouses, and the Port continues to support its constituents in LaCrosse.” 

The rock bunkhouses are a collection of stone structures located in downtown LaCrosse. Local businessman Clint Dobson built the structures between 1934 and 1936 using basalt stones deposited by the Missoula Ice Age Floods. The stones, which Dobson gathered from surrounding fields, provided affordable construction material for farm and railroad worker housing. The structures housed local labor until the 1960s.

The bunkhouses fell into disrepair, and, in 2016, they were listed as one of Washington’s Most Endangered Places. LCP acquired the bunkhouses and adjacent service station, while working diligently to acquire funding for renovation of the structures. In 2020, the Port contributed $50,000 toward the preservation of the rock houses in the form of an Economic Development and Tourism Agreement. To restore the structures, LCP tore the rock houses down and rebuilt them, using the original stones. LCP finished renovations of the bunkhouses in 2022.

“We are grateful to the Port for helping us take ownership of the land beneath the bunkhouses,” LaCrosse Community Pride Executive Director Sarah Kane said. “With the help of WSDOT, this issue was resolved quickly. LaCrosse Community Pride continues to focus our efforts on supporting economic vitality and historic preservation in LaCrosse.”

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About LaCrosse Community Pride

LaCrosse Community Pride (LCP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the community of LaCrosse, Washington. It is the smallest Main Street Community in Washington and the third smallest in the United States. LaCrosse Community Pride operates two rock house vacation rentals. The rentals, the Wheat Suite Bunkhouse and the Barley Bunkhouse, are popular with tourists looking for a unique stay. To learn more about LaCrosse Community Pride and their work in LaCrosse, visit lacrossecommunitypride.com 

About the Port of Whitman County

The Port of Whitman County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Whitman County through industrial real estate development, preservation of multi-modal transportation, facilitation of economic development and provision of on-water recreational opportunities. For more information about Port properties and ongoing projects, visit the Port website, www.portwhitman.com.