The house was built in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1905 by some of Henry Flagler's hotel construction workers.
By 1920, the house became privately owned by Karl Riddle, a city manager and superintendent of West Palm Beach.
[1][2] Originally located at 327 Acacia Street in West Palm Beach, the house was nicknamed "the painted lady", because of its bright colors.
[1] However, the dwelling would officially be known as "Gatekeeper's Cottage" early on because it served as the residence of the keeper of Woodlawn Cemetery, located just across Dixie Highway.
[2][7] However, PBA instead decided to donate the building to the Yesteryear Village committee South Florida Fair board of directors.