John and Electa Carman House, 1880

This transitional Italianate brick structure, built by retired farmer John Carman in 1880, shows traces of Gothic influence in the steeply pitched roof and elaborately pierced and cut wood trim under the front gable. A careful observer can see the outline of the arched windows that were squared off sometime in the 20th century when arches were no longer fashionable. The current porch was constructed in the early decades of the 20th century.

Carman and his wife Electa raised several children here. The most memorable in the community was their daughter Georgianna who was principal of the Fourth Ward School in 1883 and later became principal of the Perry School. Georgianna and her husband Hartwig Herbst lived first with her parents at this address and later in the house next door at 110 North Ingalls Street. The Carman family continued to occupy the house at 114 until 1909, when daughter Mary sold it to Charles and Anna Rankin. The house then served as a nurses' home until the late 1920s when Mrs. Bertha Edwards lived here with a succession of changing tenants in the other half of the house.

Despite many changes and additions, the house retains the flavor of the late 19th century and is well maintained despite its heavy use as a student rental.