Built in 1880 for Emerson Colling, who owned the property in 1877 (Halton Atlas). Emerson Collin (1815-1903) was one of the seven children of Joseph and Jane Featherstone Colling, who emigrated from Weardale, County Durham, England, in 1822 and settled near Lowville, purchasing a 100-acre parcel of uncleared land. Joseph Colling was a Pathmaster or Overseer of Highways in Nelson, who owned a large portion of land near Lowville. This is said to be the first piece of land owned by Joseph Colling.
In the 1840s Joseph bought more land, in what was to become known as “the Colling Block”, located between Blind Line and Guelph Line, and between Colling Road and Britannia Road. The Colling family were very successful farmers, and many descendants continue to live in Burlington and the Lowville area. They provided land for the construction of the Methodist Church and Manse, both now designated structures. Other houses associated with them have outstanding heritage value: two have been designated, and two have received Heritage Awards.
After Josepth’s death in 1863, the Colling Block was divided: each of his four sons received 150 acres. Emerson’s farm remained in the family for more than 150 years: in 1903 it passed to his son Jacob; in 1939 to Featherstone and Garnet Colling; in 1942 to Garnet alone. In 1999 the 105-acre property was bought at auction by the present owner.
Emerson’s house is a composite structure: the original one storey log house was built in 1932, probably on the original Colling property. The 1851 Census records it on its present site, and records Emerson’s three brothers as living in one and half storey frame houses, at least one of which was identical to the frame structure now on this site. It seems likely that this frame structure was relocated in 1890 from the John Colling property, near the Church at Guelph Line and Britannia Road. It is the oldest of the Colling buildings.
The 1832 log structure has a typical three bay centre door plan. An enclosed verandah at the rear, overlooking an outstanding view of the escarpment and ravine area, is an old addition. The frame structure, originally class with narrow wood clapboard siding, was built in vernacular Classic Revival style. Both its front and rear elevations have three bays with central entrances. The medium pitched end gabled roof and the cornice with plain boxed returns are characteristic of Classic Revial style. The high front elevation accommodates high ceilings and large windows for the second floor, and reflects the tax assessment advantage of one and a half storey structures. The outstanding design feature is the front entrances, with its carefully detailed wood surround, small paned transom and sidelights, and Classic Revival pilasters and architrave.
The present house replaced two earlier ones, including a log structure. The Colling family contributed much to the early development of Nelson.
