This home was built in 1871 by local merchant John B. Laing at a cost of $4000. As a young man, Laing worked first as a bookkeeper, and then as an accountant for John Birrel & Co. Dry Goods. John B. Laing opened up his own store in 1867 and subsequently vaulted himself into London high society. As the primary shareholder of Laing, Lockart & Co. Dry Goods and Wholesale, he was able to gain the favour of his fellow city businessmen and was elected the first president of the London Chamber of Commerce in 1875. In 1882 Laing began building a new home on Wellington Ave, a home that would eventually cost him in the order of $13,000. 611 Talbot Street was inhabited by Laing's son, Robert Laing in 1884-5, and after two years sold to Mr. William Hyman, a member of the 53rd Regiment of Foot, who came from Montreal via Hamilton to defend London from the Fenian threat. Since then the home has seen its share of doctors, lawyers and surgeons.

This is a fine example of a late 19th Century Italianate style home. The house is a two story building of London white brick. The house has a boxed cornice with paired brackets, a brick frieze and the quoins on the corner of the house provide structural support. The Andrew Jackson Downing inspired design of this home was very common in its time, and examples just like this one can be found all over North America. The foundation is a rough, stone foundation not uncommon for the houses of the time. The front of the house features a wood and brick veranda that appears to have been added at some time after the original construction. The historic homes of Talbot, including the home located at 611 Talbot, are all that is left to speak of the character, community, and history of the Talbot Street area.

Historical information researched and provided by Braden Murray, Masters in Public History, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.