He traveled to Michigan in 1832, and purchased this parcel of farmland from the United States federal government.

In 1991, the development of WMU's Business Technology and Research Park was approved, which now encompasses the majority of the property.

[4] The John Gibbs House is a two-story, five-bay, Greek Revival with a low hip roof.

It sits on a foundation finished with rounded cobblestones laid in horizontal rows.

It has a small front porch which may be a later addition, or an original portion with very early Italianate influences.