The property, located at 675 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, is one of New Jersey's historical landmarks.

The Darling estate was purchased in November 1901 by George Crocker, who described the property as "the finest site for a residence in the country.

"[4] Crocker brought horses to the estate, and early in 1902, he acquired the well-known racehorse King Muscovite.

[4] Crocker had 4,000 trout delivered to the property's pond in the spring of 1903 from Plymouth, Massachusetts, and bass were also added.

[4] Utilizing the former Darling home as his own during the building process, he commissioned the architect James Brite to design a 45,000 square foot residence.

[5][2] Workers began arriving in the spring of 1902 to work on the roads under the direction of Theodor Shuart of Ramsey, New Jersey.

[4] By 1909, the property had sixty head of Jersey cattle, with many work and carriage horses, a kennel, sheep, and chickens.

[2] The Immaculate Conception Seminary, which had been founded in 1861 as part of Seton Hall University in New Jersey, was located in the mansion from 1927 until 1984.

[12] The ceiling of the library was painted by muralist James Wall Finn, and the dining room was done in California redwood.