The Crooks family occupied this house from the time it was built until 1970.

William L. Crooks bought the house from his brother, the original owner, John E. Crooks, who left town shortly after a shooting incident in which Bishop Wingfields' son was killed.

William Crooks was financially successful in real estate and banking. He owned the Smelter Land Company and was president of the People's Bank of Benicia for thirty years. He built the Majestic Theatre in 1920. He was mayor from 1898 until 1918 and again from 1924 until 1940. Subsequently, he was a justice of the peace and a judge.

The Crooks Mansion is listed in A Guide to Architecture in San Francisco and Northern California. According to one of the authors:

What is significant for Benicia in this building is the house and its total site facing out toward the water. It has preserved and still presents an image of 19th century California which has generally been destroyed in other urban environments. As of today, the house and its grounds offer an open space which is much needed in the community. Architecturally the house represents one of the only remaining examples of the Eastlake style of architecture to be found in Benicia.