The commanding officer’s quarters was one of seven frame residences called Officers Row built in 1873 to house cavalry officers stationed at Fort Abraham Lincoln. Its first commanding officer and tenant was Lt. Colonel (Brevet Major General) George A. Custer. In February 1874, a fire destroyed the original buildings and most of its furnishing. It was rebuilt during the summer of 1874 with several features suggested by the Custers. The original home contained five fireplaces, a parlor, dining room, bedrooms kitchen, pantry and cellar. The second home included an expanded parlor with bay window, a dressing room off the main floor bedroom, a large porch and an addition to the rear of the house. Plans for this reconstructed second house were gathered from old records and correspondence, and an archeological survey of the foundation.