The single most elaborate and fanciful house in Washington County, Robert Porter's house is known for the amount and imagination of its decoration. From the multitiered and mansard-roofed tower to the front and back porches festooned with sawn ornament, the three stories of elaborate window surrounds, and the bracketed eaves, every inch of this house is decorated. This monument to the skills of the planing mill run by Porter served as excellent advertising. A Gothic Revival cottage (1860s) was moved from W. Main Street to the south of the house, and is now used as a stable-garage.