James Weaver (1833-1912) was a member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented Iowa and was a greenback candidate for president in 1880. Moreover, Weaver was the candidate of the Populist in 1892; he was also the advocate of the graduated income tax as well as the main sponsor of the free coinage of silver. For a time, Weaver served as mayor of Colfax, Iowa. For this reason his home from about 1865 until 1890 became a famous landmark in Bloomfield, Iowa.

In 1975, the old house was declared as a National Historic Landmark. The house was converted into a Bed and Breakfast by its owners. Most parts of the house have undergone renovations except the parlor area, which the owners thoughtfully kept its original floor plan.