Thomas Freeman built this home while serving as surveyor for The Cincinnati Company, a large landholding concern in the area. After the company declined and eventually entered bankruptcy, Freeman sold the home in 1894. After a series of owners, the home came under the ownership of newly widowed Mattie Rose, postmistress of St. Andrews, in 1907, and the accepted name for the place became The Rose Cottage. In 1934, the property was purchased by G. M. B. and Adele Harries, whose family occupied the home for almost 60 years. In 1992, the property came under the present owners, Glenn and Gay Smith.