Virginia native Samuel Pugh Hamilton (1837–1899),[3] colloquially known as the Lord of Lafayette Square, had the mansion built for his family.

He and his wife, Sarah Virginia (née Stillings) (1836–1920), "created a social center for the city's elite" with their home.

The latter wanted to demolish the structure to make a playground for their nearby school, but the Historic Savannah Foundation stepped in, and the mansion was saved.

[1] The home is featured in John Berendt's 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil as the scene of raucous parties held by its resident Joe Odom.

[6] Three years after the book's release, around the time of the film adaptation, Charles and Sue Strickland converted the mansion into luxury suites.