In 1885, the transcontinental Santa Fe Railway completed its tracks between Los Angeles and San Bernardino, and there were expectations that a land boom would develop along the path of the railroad.

[2] It was only the second building in San Dimas,[2] and is reported to be the only surviving 1880s era railroad hotel in Southern California.

[6] It also had a sunburst medallion, an ornamental cupola, balconies, corner towers, seven chimneys for 14 fireplaces, a large front porch, 140 feet (43 m) of veranda, 12-foot (3.7 m) ceilings, 18 bedrooms (33 rooms in all), and colored glass windows.

"[8] James W. Walker, a prosperous merchant from Kentucky, purchased the hotel and 40 acres (160,000 m2) surrounding for use as his family home in 1889.

Many of the area's clubs and social groups met at the home, and it was also the site of the first school and the first church services in San Dimas.

In 1961, Mrs. Carruthers noted that the cost of upkeep was enormous: "Anytime I have a repair bill, I feel as if it is a hotel.

[5] In 2005, an old resident of San Dimas recalled that a butler wearing a tuxedo and white gloves would greet guests at the mansion.

[3] The restaurant was a success for a time, serving meals to John Wayne and Richard Nixon, though it closed in the late 1980s.

[3] The cost of the renovation was $6.5 million,[3] with a portion being funded by a preservation grant from the J. Paul Getty Trust.

The San Dimas Historical Society provides guided tours of the Walker House on the third Saturday of each month.