Built in 1874, the house was first owned by Thomas Caldwell of the furniture company Caldwell & Anundson. This Italianate influenced home was subsequently inhabited by members of London's early political, business, and industrial community during the late 19th century. Its first inhabitant was former mayor of London and barrister, Henry Becher of the law firm Becher, Street and Becher, established by his father Henry Corry Rowley Becher. Becher Jr. moved into the house in 1874 at the age of 26. That same year, records show that his brother-in-law William Furness moved into the neighbouring residence at 652 Talbot, just two years after a scandal involving his sudden marriage to Henry's sister, Florence. The Becher family seems to have been distressed by the match.

It is unknown whether Henry's living next door was a result of the badly received union but it is clear that the two families lived side by side until 1876 when Henry's family moved to another street. This may shed light on the nature of social life in nineteenth century London including the views on marriage and family obligation within the close-knit community of the upper class. This was also the early childhood home of Colonel Henry Campbell Becher, Henry's son, who served and died in the First World War as a commanding officer of the 7th Fusiliers of London, and was described as a "hero" in the newspaper clippings that detailed his death near La Bassee on June 15, 1914.

In 1881 the house became the home of John Lynn who was a foreman at the C.S. Hyman and Co. Tannery, an important manufacturing company in the development of London, located between Mill and Ann Streets on Richmond Street. From 1884-1886 Edward Delahook, a ticket agent at the General Railway and Steamship Company, occupied the residence. Delahook was one of eleven original members of The Tuscan Lodge, which was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Canada on July 9, 1868. In 1943, the house was divided into apartments and was inhabited by those of the middle to lower class. This change from barristers and managers to barbers and dressmakers demonstrates the transition of the street from an upper/middle class area to a middle to lower-middle class one.

646 Talbot is a semi-detached 2-storey, white brick home that is very simple in style compared to the more ornate Italianate homes that can be seen on Talbot Street. Typical of this London interpretation of the Italianate style, its roof has a shallow pitch and broad eaves, arched crowns over the modern windows and quoins that match the brick of the overall façade. Unfortunately the paired brackets under the eaves have since been removed. Another feature of the Italianate style is the use of Classical elements, including a frontispiece. The doorway includes a transom and small panes surrounding the door.

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