Martin L. Fugina was the son of pioneer residents of Buffalo County. In 1895, he opened a law office in Fountain City and in 1900 he began serving as the Buffalo County District Attorney, a position he held until 1908. At this time, Governor James O. Davidson appointed Fugina to the position of county judge, where he remained until 1926. Fugina was also very active in Fountain City, serving on the board of education for nearly forty years, the draft board during World War II, as chairman of the Buffalo County Red Cross, and helping to organize the First State Bank of Fountain City. Mrs. Fugina was active in educational and civic affairs in the community.

In 1916, the Fuginas commissioned Prairie School architect Percy Dwight Bentley to design their new home. While Bentley attended the Armour Institute of Technology (now the Illinois Institute of Technology) in Chicago, he never worked with Louis Sullivan or Frank Lloyd Wright, although he was influenced by their designs. In keeping with Prairie School ideals, the Fuginas' brick and stucco house is expertly blended into the surrounding landscape.

The Fugina House is a private home. Please respect the rights and privacy of the residents.