 All the house's original boards are hand-hewn due to lack of availability of steam-powered buzzsaws at that time.Originally the home served as a combination dwelling and store, but soon became the residence of Thomas and Christine (Dunbar) Monteith.Described architecturally as "Rural Vernacular / Pre-Classic Revival," the house was extensively remodeled in 1855 and 1880, moved 50 feet west in 1901, and in 1922 again remodeled, such that the structure little resembled the original construction.