Wagner, a U.S. Army veteran, had joined the army in 1846, fought in the Mexican War under General Winfield Scott until he was wounded in the Battle of Cerro Gordo, and sent to Charleston S.C. to recuperate.

When Wagner's former military unit was sent to reopen Fort Dallas in 1855, he came to the Miami area and decided to move to South Florida.

He was one of the area's first permanent residents and was actively involved in local political and community affairs.

In 1979 the Dade Heritage Trust moved the house from its original location near Culmer Metrorail Station to Lummus Park in downtown Miami.

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