Its main portion is a rectangular structure with a steeply-pitched gable roof, to which a number of additions have been made.

One early addition was a shed-roof section, with the capacity to hold 20 tons of coal; this structure later became the main room of Brower's Cafe.

The building was originally erected to house a rescue and support station for whaling ships, but served in this role only until 1896.

It was adapted for use as the Captain Smythe Whaling and Trading Company, a retail establishment, and most recently housed Brower's Cafe.

This article about a property in Alaska on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.