Thomas I. Agnew, a local farmer, bought a 2-acre (0.81 ha) lot here in 1835 and mortgaged the house in 1844. He left for the 1849 California gold rush and died there in 1851. His son Andrew Agnew inherited the property. The house is an example of the Greek Revival temple form and features a full portico with pediment and four Doric columns.[3]