It sits at 15 Portland Place, near the northeastern corner of Forest Park.

The mansion was built c. 1900,[1] for William D. Orthwein, a German immigrant.

[2] William D. Orthwein, his wife Emily, and their family lived there for 27 years.

[3] Their son William R. Orthwein was living there when he competed at the 1904 Summer Olympics, held in St. Louis, in the freestyle and backstroke swimming and water polo, winning bronze medals in the 4x50-yard freestyle relay and water polo.

[4] The house has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since February 12, 1974.