Built in 1916, it served as the summer home of Quaker theologian, historian, and writer Rufus Jones until his death in 1948.

The house itself is set on the edge of a small wooded area, with a view down the west side of the ridge toward the lake, across a cleared meadow.

[2] Pendle Hill was built beginning in 1909 for writer Rufus Jones, who grew up in South China, and was drawn to the place as a regular summer retreat.

The house was designed by Jones and built by George Marr, a local contractor, whose work was apparently substandard.

Jones and his brother Herbert continued to work on the house after Marr's involvement ended, making repairs and improvements to it.