The Kerfoot House was built in 1903 to resemble a Mississippi River steamboat. It is a three story house with a basement. It has 18 rooms and is over 8,500 square feet. The east side of the house is rounded to resemble the bow of a steamship. Round windows on the north and south sides of the house resemble porthole windows on a ship.

The Kerfoot House is significant because of its unique architectural characteristics It was built in 1903 by E. 0. Nelson. Nelson and his wife had gone on a Mississippi River steamboat cruise. His wife enjoyed the trip so much, she insisted that the house they were building be constructed to resemble a Mississippi steamboat. The house has a large rounded front to resemble the bow of a steam ship, and round windows on the north and south sides to resemble porthole windows. George Kerfoot bought the Nelson home in the early 1910s. George Kerfoot owned the Mamouth Department Store, a large store in downtown Shawnee. The Kerfoot family, George, his wife Netta, and three daughters, lived in the home for a number of years. The house is large enough that each of the daughters continued to live in the house with their husbands after they were married. The house became known as the Kerfoot House because the Kerfoot! lived there for so many years. Many people in Shawnee just refer to the house as the "steamboat house." The architecture of the house is so unique, everyone knows which house is being referred to. - NRHP Registration form