[4] They were nominated for being representative of the late-19th-century country estates built by Twin Cities businessmen, their Queen Anne architecture, and association with Rand, a prominent utility executive.

Queen Anne architectural features include a polygonal corner tower, wraparound porches, patterned shingles on the gables, irregular plan, and multi-gabled roof.

[3] The estate grounds once featured an arboretum, swimming pool, windmill, and flower gardens, all ringed by a lilac hedge.

[5] As railway connections to the countryside around Minneapolis–Saint Paul emerged, it had become common for wealthy businessmen from the cities to construct rural estates for summer getaways.

[3] During World War II the U.S. Army Air Corps was training glider pilots in Monticello, and the Rand family loaned them the property for officers' quarters.