Peter Smith was a pioneer to this town and a prominent businessman.

Smith and his first wife Sarah settled in Calhoun County, Iowa from Cass County, Michigan around 1855, and bought land near the present Smith Farmhouse.

After the arrival of the railroad in 1881, Peter and his second wife Mary moved to Lake City.

[2] The Italianate influence is found in the bracketed cornice, segmentally arched lintels, wooden cutout designs over the windows, a front bay window, and the hipped roof.

The influences of the Gothic Revival style are found in the bargeboard and the roof line.