It is believed to have been the first hewn-log house north of the Missouri River, and its four rooms, stone foundation, double fireplace, and other Pennsylvania German construction details set it apart from other homes.

[7] Upon moving, Zumwalt sold his homestead fort to disability discharged US Army officer Nathan and Rebekah Heald for $1000 in 1817.

In September 1929, primarily through efforts by two Heald family members, a commemorative marker was placed along nearby U.S. Highway 40 (aligned then through St. Peters to St. Charles[9]) to share the history of the site.

[10] Initially, the state park was used mostly by O'Fallon residents, though it gradually became a popular camping and relaxation point for travelers on U.S. 40 (and later Interstate 70).

In 2005, with permission by the city, the O'Fallon Community Foundation resumed long-delayed plans to restore the fort, and hired the Archaeology Research Center of St. Louis to complete excavations around it.

On September 30, 2009, the foundation held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the reconstruction of Jacob Zumwalt's homestead fort.

[13] A total of four high schools in the district now have the Fort Zumwalt name, appended with their relative compass directions.

Its architecture has been referred to as "German-Italianate-Victorian" – primarily of German construction, with Italian influence in the porch columns and balcony railing.

Before selling the home in 1916, the family rebuilt its upper story with original recovered bricks, though it was about a foot shorter in height.