Built in 1848 in the Greek Revival style of architecture,[1] it was erected by farmer William H. Thompson.

Just eight years after its completion, the house was bought by Whig Party politician John I. Vanmeter, a Virginia native who had lived in Ross County for thirty years.

Built of brick laid in a stretcher bond,[2] and covered with a metal roof,[4] it has been ranked as one of the area's best Greek Revival structures.

[2] In 1979, the Vanmeter Church Street House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with two associated outbuildings.

[1] It qualified for inclusion on the Register both because of its place in local history and because of its well-preserved historic Greek Revival architecture.