Peter Melendy was instrumental in establishing the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home in Cedar Falls in 1869. In 1876, when the Home was no longer needed, Melendy was a prime mover in the successful effort to convert the building to use as the Iowa State Normal School, now the University of Northern Iowa. He also played a role in the founding of Iowa State University.

Melendy built this house in the mid-1870's on the site of a house that he built in 1859. Melendy's first wife was buried on the grounds of the house.

The house had five fireplaces, two living rooms, two bedrooms, and one dining room. The cast iron fireplaces in the living rooms were designed to resemble black marble.

Melendy lived in the house only a brief time before selling it to I. D. Gilkey. Still later, Roger Leavitt was another prominent owner of this house.

This is now a private residence.