The discovery of "curative" springs in the Waukesha area in 1868 resulted in the development of a resort and spa industry in the city. Large hotels were built to accommodate the thousands of visitors who came to Waukesha each year during the peak of the "Spring Era" of the late nineteenth century. The Grand View Health Resort is a late example of resorts developed during this period.

The Grand View was known for its use of the local mud as a therapeutic treatment. A visitor discovered dark, rich mud on the property in 1907. The mud was found to be similar to the mud used in famous German spas; the owner of the Waukesha property, John Weber, capitalized on the discovery. When Weber's resort first opened in 1911, it had only 30 guestrooms, as well as dining facilities and the bathing rooms. As it prospered, the resort grew to 200 rooms with major additions in 1921 and 1927. The resulting resort building is a large, H-shaped block, with a large wing extending to the rear. A colonnaded portico (now enclosed) joins the two hyphens. Also located on the grounds are the Moor Baths Spring House, located over the original spring on the property, and the Moor Downs Golf Course. All of the elements worked together to create a complete health and relaxation facility for the visitor.

After the resort closed in the early 1960s, the main building was first converted for use as a seminary. It later became a county office building. As a result much of the interior of the building was remodeled.