Built for George Crocker, son of railroad magnate Charles Crocker, the 58-room Jacobean-style mansion was modeled after Bramshill House, one of the largest and most important Jacobean prodigy house mansions in England.

The Grade II* listed Jacobean mansion dates back to 1603, although the property was mentioned in the Domesday Book in the 9th century and has historic links to Rhodri Mawr, the King of all Wales.