The design of the Root-Banks House is a variant of the Arts and Crafts Style that is commonly referred to as Tudor. Typical elements include the half-timber-like treatment of the gable ends, the swept eaves reminiscent of a thatch roof, and the elaborate raking cornices with pendants.

The architect was the prolific Frank Chamberlain Clark who arrived in the Rogue River Valley in 1903 and designed over 250 identified structures in the area during the next fifty years.

The original owner of the Root-Banks House was noted orchardist, developer and entrepreneur, John M. Root, who arrived in Medford as one the many easterners drawn to the area during the Orchard Boom of 1909-1912.

The second owner of the house, Llewellyn Banks, fatally shot Sheriff George Prescott at the front door when the sheriff came to the house on 16 March 1933 to arrest Banks for the crime of ballot theft. It's a complicated political intrigue which is well documented in the NRHP Nomination.

Adapted from the NRHP nomination submitted in 1994.