It is the oldest remaining portion of George Johann Hutzler's homestead, and is significant for its role in the development of prize-winning Rosen rye and Michelite seeds.

[1] George Johann Hutzler was born in about 1815 and lived in the small village Oberkrumbach [de] near Kirchensittenbach, Bavaria.

At some point in the late 1850s or (more likely) in 1860, George Johann Hutzler moved his wife and family from Buffalo to South Manitou Island.

His son John (born on the island in 1865) took over ownership of the farm; Margaretha stayed there until 1901 when she moved to Chicago.

[4] The walls are constructed from weathered wood with the front gable roof covered with tar paper.