The houses were constructed between 1872 and 1913 in a variety of vernacular interpretations of popular architectural styles including Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival styles.

The houses are 2 1/2-stories, are of frame or brick construction, and were designed by local architects employed by the developer Ellwanger & Barry.

Also in the district is a three-story, Queen Anne style mixed use building, with commercial space on the first floor and residential units above, located at 785 South Avenue (c.

[2] The area was developed by George Ellwanger and his partner Patrick Barry after they entered the real estate business in 1856.

The district is located on the oldest part of the Ellwanger & Barry nursery, which they subdivided into residential lots and developed between 1872 and 1913.