NPS Photo

The the Issac Miles Farmhouse.

Isaac Miles Farmstead

Isaac Miles, a widower with two young daughters, moved to West Branch in 1874 and opened a drugstore. In 1877 he married Esther Bruff, who had inherited 100 acres of farmland south of West Branch. Isaac Miles, his wife, and his daughters Providence and Abbie moved in as soon as the two-story frame house and barn were built on the farm. The Miles daughters were about the same age as the Hoover and Smith children, and no doubt they played together along Cook’s Hill.

The 1880 Census of Springdale Township showed that the farm totaled 100 acres, 73 under cultivation. Miles raised corn, oats, rye, potatoes and apples. The farm pastured 5 horses, 2 mules, 5 milk cows and 5 beef cattle, 55 pigs, and 20 chickens. In 1879 the family sold 190 pounds of butter, 144 dozen eggs, and 75 pounds of honey.

Access to the Miles Farmstead is by the Tallgrass Prairie trails, which are mowed grass. The buildings of the farmstead are not open to the public.

Take a Virtual Tour

This is a stop on the virtual tour of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

Next | Back