Built around 1860, it is a two-story carpentered Italianate structure with a double brick foundation, weatherboard walls, and asphalt roof, located three blocks north of the Porter County Courthouse.

The register listing includes a carriage stepping stone by the north porch, with the family name upon it.

[2]: 5 DeForest Skinner acquired the recently built house around the time he married Rachel Ann Maxwell in 1861.

Skinner had arrived in Valparaiso in 1847 at age eleven with his parents John and Emily Skinner; he displayed business acumen early in life as he worked for various commercial interests.

Furthermore, he was on the Chicago and Grand Trunk Railroad's board of directors.