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] The mansion was finally completed and furnished in 1907, with much time spent on the wood and stone carving.

[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.