The allotment on which this cottage stands was sold by Thomas Roads to Henry James Joseph Bowell in May 1881. The house was built shortly afterwards, probably by Thomas Roads.

Henry's parents, James and Susannah Bowell, arrived in South Australia on 21 July 1854, with their daughter Laura. James was a blacksmith and wheelwright, and he set up his business in Yankalilla in 1855. They had nine more children, eight of whom were born in Yankalilla, including Henry James Joseph Bowell, born 14 April, 1856. Henry Bowell married Laura Ottaway (of Birkenhead) on 2-2-1882. They had five children born between 1882 and 1892. The first four are registered as being born at Port Adelaide, but the last one (Bertram Ottaway Bowell) was born at Yankalilla, possibly in this house. Henry died at Yankalilla 8-3-1914, aged 57 years.