The house was built by Robert Waugh, on land purchased for the sum of 25 dollars.

[3] Robert Waugh was born in Selkirkshire, Scotland in 1838 and immigrated to the United States in 1850.

In 1870, Waugh opened a dry goods store on Ferry Street in the town of Sparland.

It is uncertain why Waugh chose this relatively obscure style, although it is possible that he was aware of another octagon house approximately 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Sparland.

The main facade faces east toward School Street and has a single-story hexagonal porch.