[1] Stephen Taft was a native of New York who came to Iowa in 1862 and established the settlement of Springvale, which was eventually renamed Humboldt.

[2] Taft had this house built in 1864, and continued to live here until 1897 when he and his wife moved to California because of her health.

The house is a 2½-story rectangular structure that measures approximately 38 by 40 feet (12 by 12 m).

Three sides of the house are coursed, irregularly shaped limestone that was quarried locally.

The main facade is composed of cedar clapboard siding.