The landmark covers part of the farm that was the home of pioneering conservationist John Muir from 1849 to 1856 and 1860 to 1862.

[3] John Muir came to the United States in 1849 as an eleven-year-old immigrant with his father, who established a farm in Marquette County, Wisconsin.

The family farmstead was located on a knoll in the northeastern portion of the acreage 80 acres (32 ha) that makes up the landmark designation.

It is bounded on the north by Gillette Drive, and includes of a parcel of private land at its northeast corner, as well as the northeastern part of the county's John Muir Memorial Park.

The private land, about 18 acres (7.3 ha), includes the area that was the site of the Muir's farmhouse.