The Dunker House was built in 1900 in Bridgeport, now Cordelia, and was named for Henry Dunker, an early settler and carpenter from Germany. The Dunker family played a significant role in the area's development by running cattle and sheep, importing lumber, and hosting lavish parties. The family owned and operated a blacksmith shop, hardware store, and the nearby Pittman Hotel. On July 20, 1939, the house narrowly survived a fire that swept through the village and halted further expansion of the town. The customs and traditions of the Dunkers are said to reflect a deep sense of reverence and community bonding that helped shape the way of life in Cordelia.