It was built in 1858 by Orville Sutherland Cox, who converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Illinois, where he was baptized by Joseph Smith in 1839.

[2] He became a counselor to Bishop John Lowery, Sr., in Manti, and he lived in this house with his three wives: Elvira Mills, Mary Allen, and Eliza J.

[2] The house, designed by Cox, is constructed of coursed ashlar cream-colored limestone.

It has a plain entablature, and, on the west front of the house it has pedimented returns, which are suggestive of Greek Revival Style.

[2] The house was later purchased by Jezreel Shoemaker, a convert to the LDS Church who served as the mayor of Manti.