The current property comprises 400 acres (1.6 km2) of the original 60,000-acre (240 km2) ranch operated by Clem Rogers, Will's father, a prominent cattle rancher and Cherokee politician.

[2] Clem Rogers built the two-story Greek Revival house in 1875, four years before his famous son Will was born, and lived there until his wife died in 1890.

Originally the two front rooms were each 16 feet (4.9 m) square, separated by a dog trot that was later enclosed to make a foyer.

"[2][a] The present barn was erected on July 17, 1993, by two dozen Amish carpenters who knew the traditional notch and peg type of construction that was commonly employed in the 19th century.

[2] The house where Will Rogers was born was moved about a mile[3] in the 1960s to its present site on the ranch due to the building of the nearby Lake Oologah reservoir.