James Livingston owned a thriving flax industry, centered in Baden, Ontario, in the latter half of the 19th century. By the early 1880s, Livingston's flax empire had spread to Michigan's thumb area, where he partnered with James McColl. The two owned multiple plants in the area, and eventually spread out into banking.[2]
In 1889, McColl married James Livingston's daughter, Louise. The McColls were involved in many affairs of the village, and James McColl served as president of the Village of Yale from 1894 to 1901. In 1899, James Livingston hired architect Isaac Erb to design this home for the McColls. The couple had three children, two of whom died young. The third, Elizabeth McColl Wight, went on to marry surgeon, Dr. F.B. Wight of Detroit. James and Louise McColl lived in this house until their deaths, after which ownership passed to their daughter Elizabeth. She owned the house until 1980.[2]
Shortly after, the house was purchased by James Godo, who lived in this house until 1986. In 1986, this house was purchased by Linda and Stanley Morency. They lived in this house with their children, until both children moved out to start their own families. In 2016, Linda had died, and shortly after in 2017, Stanley has died as well. Ownership of this house passed down to their children, Melissa Varton and Kimberly Beymore. In 2019 the house was sold to Mark & Ariel Somo. They have fully remodeled and restored the home.
