On August 22, 1931 a businessman by the name of George Baer Hiester hired Muhlenberg Yerkes Muhlenberg Architects to design a honeymoon cottage for his bride at the time. Mr. Hiester was impressed by the Stokesay Castle located in Shropshire, England that was built in A.D. 1115 and wanted to incorporate this castle design into his residence.
The Stokesay Castle is one of the oldest existing fortified manor house in England. Stokesay, which means "the Stockade of the Says," derives its name from one of the early occupants of the castle, the family of the de Says, who came from Normandy and fought in the Battle of Hastings.