$273,687Average Value$174Average Price per Sq Ft13Homes For Sale
Dayton combines rich history with abundant recreation
Situated within the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Dayton comprises quiet living along the Touchet River in Southeast Washington. “It has a slower pace of life,” says Julie Bickelhaupt, a local Realtor with Kelly Right Real Estate who has called the community home for over 50 years. “Part of the charm and drive for living here is that it’s a smaller town, but it’s easy to get in and out of.” Though less than 2 square miles in size, the Columbia County seat offers robust recreation, a selection of locally owned restaurants and a commitment to preserving its rich history.
Dayton sits in the foothills of the picturesque Blue Mountains.
Downtown Dayton’s Main Street is lined with locally owned shops and boutiques.
Caboose Park offers a lush green space, a playground, and a life-size train car for Dayton families.
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From Dayton Historic Depot to city parks, fishing and skiing
Pietrzycki City Park is the hub for recreation, with playgrounds, athletic facilities and the Dayton Skate Park. “They have a fishing pond for children 15 and under,” Bickelhaupt says. “It’s very popular, and they usually stock it in March or April.” Touchet Valley Golf Course on North Pine Street offers a nine-hole course open to the public. Dayton Historic Depot is the longest-standing passenger train station in the state. Now a museum, the depot's exhibits detail the history of Columbia County, and the adjacent Caboose Park has a life-size train car. “Bluewood Ski Resort is nearby, and there’s a lot of fishing, hiking and snowmobiling in the area as well. Oftentimes, there will be fly fishermen in the Touchet River under the bridge in town.”
Dayton Historic Depot, now a museum, showcases Columbia County’s rich rail history.
Dayton families enjoy outdoor fun and exercise at Pietrzycki Park playground.
Touchet Valley Golf Course on North Pine Street offers Dayton residents a public nine-hole course.
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Longstanding homes with shaded sidewalks and back alleys
Buyers will find a combination of architectural styles, from late 19th-century Victorians to 20th-century Craftsman, ranch and split-level styles. “There aren’t any cookie-cutter homes here,” Bickelhaupt says. Most feature narrow front walkways and back alleys that lead to detached garages. Mature trees provide spots of shade for sidewalks running below, and the surrounding hillsides backdrop properties located along the outskirts. The median price for a home in Dayton is $300,000. The community also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Dayton boasts cozy ranch-style homes nestled among evergreen trees.
Split-level homes with neat, small front yards are common in Dayton, Washington.
This Dayton home blends Victorian charm with views of the Blue Mountains.
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Local schools are within walking distance
Dayton School District serves the community and has a B-minus rating on Niche. Dayton Elementary School earns a C-plus, and Dayton Middle School has a B-minus. Dayton High School scores a B and offers CTE Dual Enrollment in partnership with Walla Walla Community College and Central Washington University. The program allows students to earn high school and college credits for selected coursework simultaneously. All three schools sit at the center of the community, and the middle and high schools share a campus. “There are lots of kids who walk and ride bikes to school,” Bickelhaupt says.
Dayton Elementary School serves Dayton students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
Dayton Middle School shares a campus with the high school and holds a Niche grade of B minus.
Dayton High School offers CTE Dual Enrollment with Walla Walla Community College and Central Washington University.
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Residents dine along Main Street and shop in Walla Walla
A handful of locally owned restaurants dot Main Street, including My Dad's Place Restaurant. The laid-back spot is the place to go for a slice of pizza and a beer. Fiesta En Jalisco serves authentic Mexican dishes, and Moose Creek Cafe & Bakery covers breakfast with coffee, donuts and other homemade pastries. Dayton Mercantile and Blue Mountain Station Co-op are in town for quick grocery runs, but residents must head out of the area to shop retail. Commercial developments in Walla Walla, 30 miles southwest, are home to big-box stores like Walmart Supercenter and Old Navy.
Dayton foodies enjoy pizza and beer at My Dad’s Place, a laid-back local favorite.
Moose Creek Café & Bakery serves Dayton locals breakfast with coffee, donuts, and homemade pastries.
Dayton residents visit downtown Walla Walla to explore local shops.
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Annual events bring the community together
Dayton Days and Rodeo brings the community together over Memorial Day Weekend. The staple celebration includes a Friday night rodeo, Saturday morning parade and activities for all ages. Vintage rides fill Main Street for All Wheels Weekend in mid-July. “It’s huge,” Bickelhaupt says, “I go every year and am always in awe of the turnout.” Alongside a classic car show, the annual event hosts competitions like Outlaw Lawn Dragster Races, live music, food vendors and more. The Liberty Theater also hosts several concerts and local stage productions throughout the year. “They put on the A Christmas Charol there and its usually sold out every night,” Bickelhaupt says.
Getting around on U.S. Route 12 and Valley Transit buses
Dayton has no public transportation opportunities, but U.S. Route 12 runs through the community's center. The throughway links the area to Walla Walla and its namesake airport. Valley Transit buses also provide rides into the city and surrounding areas. “It’s a great public transportation system,” Bickelhaupt says. “They take kids going to Walla Walla Community College and even dropped me off at the car shop once.” Dayton General Hospital is closer to home, on South 3rd Street.
Valley Transit buses give Dayton residents rides to the city and nearby areas.
Dayton General Hospital is conveniently located on South 3rd Street.
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Written By
Matthew Simmons
Photography Contributed By
Derek Fowler
Video By
Anne Sheridan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Linda Schumacher,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Dayton, WA sell after 93 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Dayton, WA over the last 12 months is $259,500, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
MLS# 292506 A rare and remarkable opportunity to own 98 acres in Dayton’s scenic countryside—where vision meets possibility and legacy properties are created. 632 N Touchet Road spans 98 acres of diverse, usable land with the Touchet River winding through, offering a stunning natural backdrop, abundant wildlife and a setting that’s increasingly hard to find. With potential to subdivide, this
MLS# 294489 A rare and remarkable opportunity to own 2 acres in Dayton’s beautiful countryside, where your vision can become reality. This property features a county-approved, partially constructed 1,100 SF home designed with energy-efficient and durable insulated concrete form (ICF) block construction. The planned home offers 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and is situated on a concrete slab with
Motivated seller!! Endless possibilities await on this beautiful 29.8 acre retreat featuring a natural spring, seasonal waterfall, power on property and an RV hookup. The wired dry cabin includes an oil furnace for heat, making it a comfortable basecamp while you create your vision. A new 12x28 storage shed offers excellent potential to be converted into a tiny home for future Airbnb (buyer to
Set along the scenic West Patit Creek, this 36± acre parcel in Columbia County, WA offers a rare opportunity to enjoy privacy, seclusion, & natural beauty. The property is located along South Patit Road, just nine miles—approximately a 15-minute drive—southeast of Dayton. The landscape is peaceful & inviting, ideal for a private residence or recreational retreat. A picturesque mix of mature
MLS# 292028 1890s-style 1905 home on Dayton WA Historical Tour**, completely remodeled with rare red fir flooring, unique sliding barn-style doors, and quaint parlor. Ranks as one of the finest vintage homes of Dayton but with high-quality updates throughout. 2990 total sq ft: 3 bd, 2 bath, plus 1 bd / 1 bath ADU, full basement sauna/rec room, office, and huge laundry area. Wide 2-car garage with
Escape to your own private 10-acre riverfront farmstead where country living meets convenience! Located just over 3 miles from the edge of town and only 17 miles from Bluewood Ski Resort, this versatile property offers endless possibilities. This sweet home features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, while the expansive acreage provides room to grow, play, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings. With
A truly one-of-a-kind rural property offering space, character, irrigation rights and possibilities rarely found in one place. The home features a floor plan with several distinct living areas, including a main-floor recreation room adjacent to a full bath that could easily serve as a bedroom or guest suite. Upstairs are three bedrooms & a bathroom. The basement provides multiple rooms for
364 +/- mountainous recreational acres, a fully furnished and turn-key off-grid luxury custom cabin, and a full-time caretaker in place for ongoing management, located just outside of Dayton, Washington, represent a combination of features rarely found in a single offering. This property stands as a fully developed mountain holding where the improvements, infrastructure, and land have all been
Escape the noise and discover your own piece of the Blue Mountains with this 26.75± acre retreat atop Eckler Mountain above Dayton. Just 30 minutes from town, this property offers the perfect setting to unplug and enjoy the quiet beauty of the outdoors. A mix of open grassland, forested areas, and mature timber creates a landscape well suited for recreation and adventure. Whether you're looking
NEW PRICE $415,000! Historic homes tell a story—and this 1915 residence is a beautiful example of why preservation matters. From original wood floors to leaded-glass windows and generously sized rooms, the details reflect an era when craftsmanship came first. All the charm and character of that era have been maintained in this home. 5 bedrooms, including one on the main floor which is currently
MLS# 293806 Welcome to your Mountain Sanctuary~45-Acre Blue Mountain Retreat with the Ultimate RV Garage & Man Cave. The home itself sits on a beautifully cleared 1acre homesite, leaving 44 surrounding acres of privacy. Updated and well cared for, the residence features a bright open layout that is fully handicap accessible. Step outside to the open decks with fantastic area views, unwind under
Own a piece of architectural history with this enchanting 1890 Italianate, distinguished by its iconic dual turrets and undeniable presence. This sale includes the adjacent property, offering a secondary structure with limitless possibilities. The Main Residence: step through the front door and back in time. The interior is defined by an original staircase—a rare testament to 19th-century
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