[1][2] The Greek Revival-style mansion was constructed for George Washington Foster, a prominent local with plantations in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

[2] Because construction would result in the permanent obstruction of a major thoroughfare, Foster had to secure the approval of the Alabama Legislature before work could begin.

[2] According to the diary of Sarah Foster MacDonald, the grounds were occupied by camps of Confederate and Union soldiers during the American Civil War.

[2] Courtview was occupied by members of the Foster family until 1900, when it was sold to Emmet O'Neal, a Wesleyan University alumnus who served as the 34th Governor of Alabama from 1911 to 1915.

During the early 1980s, alumni, faculty and staff initiated "Project Courtview", a fund drive to restore Rogers Hall.