It was built in 1897 as a residence for executives of the Oliver Mining Company.

[2][3] The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 for its local significance in the themes of architecture and social history.

[4] It was nominated for reflecting the sumptuous lifestyle enjoyed by an elite few in the early mining era.

[3] The Oliver Mining Company continued to use the Mitchell–Tappan House as an executive residence into the 1960s.

[3] In recent years its owners operated it as a bed and breakfast.