Lackawanna takes its name from an Indian word meaning “meeting of the waters,” a reference to the house's location between the North and South forks of the Shenandoah River. The Italianate house was built for businessman Dorastus Cone. The two-story brick house has a heavy bracketed cornice that encircles the L-shaped building; double-hung windows, most with molded segmental-arched hoods; and bay windows on the side walls. In addition to the front entrance, tall first-floor windows provide access onto the front porch—the present porch is a replacement of 1904. Known in its day for modern conveniences, Lackawanna had running water, gas lamps, a coal-burning furnace, and the first telephone in Front Royal, which was installed in 1876. The house is now a bed-and-breakfast inn.