The land surrounding this house was originally owned by Collin McKinney, a prominent early Texas statesman. In 1857 McKinney deeded the acreage to his son Younger Scott (1819-1907), who was born in Kentucky but grew up in Red River County. When Younger Scott McKinney moved to his property in Grayson County, he built this home for his wife Sarah (Janes) and their six children. In addition to being a farmer and an ordained Methodist Episcopal minister, McKinney served as Grayson County surveyor in 1852-53. The land remained in the family until 1928.