Admiral Selfridge was stationed in 1898 in Japan, a likely inspiration for the ornamental detailing of this house, which once included carved dragons at both ends of the gable and latticed balustrades surrounding the porches. The theme extended even to the roof, which was originally red, suggesting oriental tilework. While often attributed to McKim, Mead and White, perhaps because of its complex of roof forms—gable on hip and saltbox—it is more likely by C. L. Bevins, who had designed another house, “The Barnacle” (
JA30), for Selfridge only three years earlier.