Rochester was established in 1836, making it the first settlement in Cedar County and its first county seat. William Green and his family arrived in May 1837. He bought and operated the sawmill, and became a partner in the county's first brick kiln. He was also involved in local politics. He built this house near the Cedar River in 1853. It is believed it was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Supposedly there was a tunnel between the house and the river bank. There is a "bricked-over doorway in the basement and a cell-like hole under the south portion of the house." John Brown stayed in nearby Springdale where his raid on Harper's Ferry was planned, and there were a number of other houses in the area that were also believed to be stops. A stage coach line between Davenport and Iowa City passed through Rochester and the house was an overnight stop for stage passengers after the Rochester Bridge was completed in 1880.