The house was built in as early as 1870 for Joseph E. Hall, a local jeweler and instrument maker.

It was designed and constructed by Salmon Crane, who was a leading architect in Tecumseh in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Hall and his family lived here until 1882, when it was purchased by Sylvester Erskine, a barber and saloon keeper.

It is a modestly sized brick house, typical of those built in the area at the time.

It is noted for its irregular L-shaped design, which features a square tower located between the arms of the L. The house has widely projecting eaves supported by simple paired brackets.