[2] He first settled in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, later moving in 1859 to Alameda County, where he spent the rest of his life.

[2] The Milton Ream family owned the last 10 acres of the original 3000, and in 1964 the home was purchased for $270,000 by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD).

[2][4] In 1991, HARD began to work with the Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) to upgrade and reopen the home.

[2] After decades of review, in 2004 HARD agreed upon a deal to lease the mansion and its accompanying carriage house to the historical society for 25 years.

[6][8] The home also contains a basement below-ground which has an "unusual" bracing system consisting of thick, diagonally placed timber boards.

[11] The edifice itself currently resides on 9.75 acres (3.95 ha) of land, which functions as a park with picnic areas, paths, and benches among other things.