Champlin House is a two-and-one half-story sandstone building designed in the Tudor Revival style.

[2] The D.C. Bass Company constructed the main house with walls of Briar Hill sandstone and Vermont slate roofing and terrace.

A variety of windows were custom made for the house by Kawneer Company of Niles, Michigan.

Champlin graduated from McPherson High School, and then attended Friends University and Hill's Business College.

Champlin bought the mineral rights from George Beggs, a farmer who resided in the area.

He purchased a small refinery from Victor Bolene, and built a pipeline between it and Garber Field.

In 1920, he purchased the Goodwell Oil Company which consisted of several bulk plants and service stations.