Dr. John William Gallaher and his family moved to Graham in 1884, where he built a successful surgery and medical practice and became a civic leader. In 1893, he served as one of Graham’s first three Aldermen when the town was incorporated. After retiring from his practice in 1906, he and his wife Belle (Blakey) built their retirement home, where Belle often hosted parties and club meetings. The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club held its organizational meeting there in 1911. The Queen Anne-style house features rough-faced concrete block and wood shingle cladding, a cross-gabled roof plan, hipped and hexagonal dormers, and diamond pane windows.