The southern (rear) portion of the building was built between 1905 and 1909. It was known as the St. Joe House in 1917. It housed four commercial offices on the first floor, and rooms on the second. In 1922, the upstairs rooms were called the St. Joe Hotel and by 1940 they were referred to as the Hotel Frances. The commercial offices housed several doctors, a drug store, the Salax Water Company, and the K.C. Post.

The front portion of the building was constructed later, between 1917 and 1922, It seems to have been an addition to the St. Joe Hotel and, when combined, offered 30 rooms.

The front structure, with its Italian Renaissance elements, retains a great deal of architectural integrity, however, both structures have suffered through neglect.