Doveton House, located within a 20 acre campus was established by the popular architect Benjamin Roebeck in Chennai in 1798. It is one of the oldest buildings in Chennai. When the Lietenant General John Doveton bought this building in 1837, it was named after him.

Initially Doveton House was used for residential purposes and later it was used for keeping the prisoners. Then this served as a public hall where parties were held. The last person who lived here was a High Court Judge named Sir Ralph Benson. He left Chennai in 1913 and in 1916 the Women’s Christian College was shifted here.