Rochester, Minnesota (KROC AM News) – The future of a piece of history in Olmsted County is now in the hands of Rochester merchants.

But before proceeding with the deed transfer, the county must acquire another piece of property because federal and state funds are used to purchase the Biermann website. The search ended with the purchase of a fisherman’s hotel website, which will become a park.

Bowers has already repaid the $50,000 that the county spent on the official transfer of ownership.

Bowers’ original proposal was to renovate the house and transform it into a two- or three-unit apartment building. He now says "I'm likely to live there." Bowers said that before he moved in, the house "needed a lot of work." He plans to work with experts to find out how to restore the house and make it livable without affecting its historical character.

The house was built by a farmer in the 1860s and later sold to Adolph Biermann. He owned the property until he sold it to Charles and William Mayo in 1907. The county acquired the property in 1979.

The following is an excerpt from a forgotten minnesota.com story about the house:

In 1907, Biermann sold his 340 acre farm to William and Charles Mayo for $20,000. He moved a few miles east and moved to a smaller farm until his death in 1914. The Mayo brothers are likely to be familiar with the Billman property because it is popular as a private picnic spot for young Rochester social elites. Because of its picturesque scenery and proximity to the Zumbro River, they intend to use the farm as a summer house. Charles-commonly known as Dr. Charlie-and his family often live in the Birman's house and then build a weekend resort near his home. The family then built Mayowood on the top of the mountain and moved into this huge mansion in the 1920s.

Read more about the history of Biermann House here.