James S. Sweet founded Santa Rosa's oldest successful business college and was a two-term mayor of Santa Rosa. His mayorality marked the city's transition from nineteenth century ward politics to progressive municipal reform.

Sweet's wife, Julia Goodyear Sweet, was significant in her own right as a leader of a variety of religious, social and political activities in the city, the county, and the state.

Although built in 1886, eight years before Sweet came to Santa Rosa, the Sweet House was their home from 1894 until Julia's death in 1954. It has architectural significance as a contributor to the Cherry Street Historic District, but it is far more significant through its association with two of Santa Rosa's late nineteenth and early twentieth century leaders.