The mansion was built by George Michael Murrell, a wealthy white planter and merchant married to Minerva Ross, the niece of prominent Cherokee leader John Ross.

[5] He called it Hunter's Home due to his fondness for the fox hunt.

[4] During the American Civil War, the area surrounding Hunter's Home was frequently raided by forces loyal to both the Union and Confederacy.

The home was spared destruction during this turbulent time and was the only local building to survive the conflict.

Cherokee Jennie Ross Cobb (1881–1959), one of the earliest Native American photographers, later lived in Hunter's Home and helped direct restoration of the house.