In 1854, Jens and Kari Ringness were among the first eight Norwegian families to settle in Bosque County, establishing their home in the Norse Community. Jens built a two-room log cabin along Neils Creek, and by 1859, with a growing family and the need to house new Norwegian immigrants, he expanded the home into a six-room dobblehus. This house became a central gathering place for the early settlers, hosting Lutheran worship services during a time when no church had been built due to the Civil War. In January 1867, the congregation that would become Our Savior’s Lutheran Church was officially formed during a service at the Ringness House. Today, a monument stands in front of the home, commemorating it as the site of the first Lutheran service in Bosque County.

The Ringness property is also significant for its blacksmith shop, where Ole Ringness, Jens' son, invented the disk plow. Inspired by his experience delivering mail through heavy mud, Ole created a prototype of a plow shaped like a disk in his father’s shop. Although he traveled to New York City to apply for a patent, Ole tragically died before the patent process could be completed, and the family ultimately declined the patent offer. The Ringness farm remained in the family until it was sold to Ole Pierson, and today, the current owners, Don and Alice Brandenberger, have granted the Norwegian Society of Texas an easement to preserve the historic house.

Today the house is open for special events and group tours.