The farmland was acquired in 1841 by Henry Culp, and during the following 10 years he built a 2-story house, the barn and several outbuildings. During the battle of Gettysburg the farm buildings were highly visible from all vantage points east of the town, and the farm witnessed heavy fighting. One July 1-3, 1863, Confederate forces used the farm as a staging area for attacks on Union positions southwest of the farm.