When Wisconsin Territory was established by Congress in 1836, more than a dozen communities sought to become the capital. Daniels, Denniston, and Company of New York offered this building free if Cassville were chosen. When the Legislature selected Madison, Denniston's effort ended in bankruptcy. Nelson Dewey arrived in Cassville in 1836 and worked for the Denniston firm. Later he acquired vast properties there, including this building, which he opened as Denniston House in 1854. It has operated continuously as a hotel ever since. Dewey's plantation home, Stonefield, is preserved in Nelson Dewey State Park about one mile upriver from there.