In 1886, after a brief sojourn in Los Angeles, California to recover from bronchitis, Hunter was appointed Kankakee City Attorney.

[2] By 1898, Hunter had amassed enough of a fortune to build a stately residence on the Kankakee River.

The Hunter House cost $6800, three times the average price of a home in Kankakee.

Twenty-four Queen Anne Houses were built in Kankakee, but five were demolished and others have lost their architectural integrity.

[2] On August 22, 1986, the house was recognized by the National Park Service as a contributing property to the Riverview Historic District.