Babcock had had a successful career in the lumber industry while serving two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

In this position, Babcock gained local popularity and substantial wealth, due to the committee's role in development of the city.

Constance McLaughlin Green wrote that Babcock "cleared $400,000 in Washington real estate ... simply by using [his] advance knowledge of which sections of the city were to get funds..."[2] In 1911, Babcock's widow Kate purchased two lots in the newly laid out Massachusetts Heights subdivision, established when Massachusetts Avenue was extended beyond Florida Avenue.

His residential designs used numerous styles, including Georgian, Colonial Revival, Spanish mission, and the Neo-Renaissance of the Babcock–Macomb House.

Sands rented the house to tenants for two years, until he sold it in 1919 to Army Colonel Augustus Canfield Macomb.