The house was constructed in 1916 and was originally located adjacent to Seward's Mount Marathon.

The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 17, 1978.

Many of his design jobs in Seward and Anchorage featured his trademark use of stucco to cover wood siding.

Following the death of his wife Viola in 1976, the property was passed by will to the Seward Public Library.

In its current location, Swetman House sits on a full concrete basement, a sign of affluency in the time and place because of its cost.