Alexander P. Porter (1825-1876) built this house during the 1850s. Dr. George Z. Higgins moved to Strong from Lubec in 1878, acquired the house and conducted his practice there until 1902, when he sold the house and practice to Dr. Charles W. Bell (1873-1944), a Strong native who had returned from medical training and set up his practice five years before.

In this house Dr. Bell was able to treat his patients and use the extra space for urgent inpatient care. A few years later an increased need for post-surgical care necessitated relocating his practice to larger accomodations.

Dr. Bell and his wife, Annie (Stubbs) raised their two children, Sara and Richard, in this house.