This house was built in 1894 for John Werle, as a rental property on part of the site of the former J. Gebhard & Company Brewery.  Werle had purchased the brewery property around 1890. The structure was used as rental property during its first 50 years and saw numerous occupants. 
By the late 1940s, the New Albany City Directory listed Mrs. Lillian Umbreit as residing here, and she remained through about 1960.  Otto Umbreit was listed as living here from 1961 through 1963.
In the 1966 New Albany City Directory, Mrs. Saloma Frakes is listed as occupying the home and she remained through the mid 1980s.