Forbes, Jortin, House

One of the few brick residences in the City, and one of the earlier surviving homes, this simple brick structure is a nice example of mid-nineteenth century Vernacular architecture. Tax records, combined with evidence from the 1864 plat map, suggest that Jortin and Matilda Forbes built the house in 1860. The building appears on the 1872 Bird's Eye View and is clearly indicated as the Forbes' property on the 1874 atlas. Jortin Forbes served in a number of Village posts, among them street commissioner in 1866-67, inspector for the first Village election in 1866, marshall in 1866-67, and justice of the peace in 1878. Matilda Forbes had a milliner shop.

In near original condition, this Vernacular Midwest upright and wing house sits on a small lot shaded by a mature pine tree in the 200 block of N. Ann Arbor Street (photo #32). The two-story gabled brick construction features a two-story upright and a one-story wing to the south, segmental-arched head windows, and a raking cornice without returns above a wide frieze. The Eastlake hipped roof front porch, with its spindled frieze, spool and spindle balusters, and decorative brackets, is probably a later addition.