This modest brick home has a long veranda with ornamental fretwork frills around the posts, as well as a dormer window with fish scale detailing. The exact date of construction is unknown; however, the home appears to have been built on the lot by at least 1885 according to the assessment rolls. The house exterior is covered in a light orange brick, commonly found in early houses. John Johnson used his work on the exterior of the house to display his carpentry skills. 

The house was built for a local carpenter and contractor, John A. Johnson. The house was in the name of his mother, Jessie, gentlewoman, who owned the property the house was built on. Jessie and John lived together in the house. He worked alongside Frank E. Butcher in a business located on the northwest corner of James and Queen Street. Johnson specifically worked on sash and door trim at the cooperage. 

John Allen Johnson was born on March 23, 1854, in Blanchard Township, Perth, Ontario to father Thomas and mother Jessie (Dunn is listed as her maiden name on his marriage certificate and Donald is listed as her last name on his death certificate). He was their only son. Thomas was born in 1828 in Pennsylvania, United States. Jessie was born in Scotland on March 14, 1840, and immigrated to Canada in 1850. 

John married Isabella McKay Horner in London, Ontario on August 16, 1914. Isabella was born in1860 in Thornlee Bank, Scotland. This was the first marriage for both, Isabella at age 54 and John age 60. 

John Allen Johnson retired in 1923 and when he died on February 10, 1937, he was still living at the house on Queen Street.