The Backhaus family emigrated from Prussia to America in 1850 and bought this 135-acre farm parcel by parcel from 1853 to 1864. They first lived in an unfinished log cabin that was later replaced by the Victorian three-story cream city brick residence built in 1895 by Otto, the son of Gottleib and Anistina. Known as Spring Hill Farm, the property became associated with Otto Backhaus as a breeder of Morgan horses, grade cattle, Shropshire sheep, and Chester White hogs. The fourth-generation Backhaus family owns and lives in the house.