By Ian M. Kimball
BSA Troop 127

As a Life Scout with BSA Troop 127, this spring and early summer I organized volunteers to work on my Eagle Scout project, which involved clearing out the old hog barn foundation at Lake View Hill Park.

Working with Nelson Eisman, park volunteer ranger and member of the Friends of Lakeview Hill Park, I planned the project, which involved clearing extensive growth and dirt that covered most of the barn foundation. In June we held two workdays with 25 volunteers working 8‒10 at a time in order to maintain social distancing. Volunteers put in 67 combined hours on the project. Through the work of the volunteers during the two days and some additional visits, we completely cleared the foundation. 

Built in the late 1930s, the hog barn was used to raise hogs on the property of Lake View Sanatorium. The hogs were raised and sold to an area butcher, who then sold meat to the community. The proceeds helped fund the purchase of other food and supplies for the sanatorium.

The sanatorium was eventually closed and the main building became the Dane County Department of Human Services. Time took a toll on the barn, and the forest reclaimed the area where it once stood.

After the foundation was cleared, we installed a sign explaining the history of the hog barn. The last step included building a new bench for the area so people can rest during hikes. Be sure to stop by the next time you take a walk at Lakeview Hill Park. 

To learn more about the service work and exciting adventures of scouting on the Northside, contact Scoutmaster Justin Sargent at justinsargent@gmail.com, or for the Scouts BSA girls troop, contact Paul Hughes at psusparks@gmail.com.