It was deemed significant "for its historical association with the growth and development of Ellsworth, Kansas and ... for its architectural significance as an example of Victorian eclectic commercial architecture." It was built during prosperity and growth in Ellsworth, after it became the northern end of the Texas cattle trail; the city shipped more than 3,000,000 cattle from 1871 to 1874.[3]
It was built by Ellsworth contractor Frank Easterly in 1887-1888 and was modified in 1929, also by Easterly.[4][5]