Howard Fleming House

Built circa 1886-1887, this semi-custom Italianate house was constructed for Howard Fleming, a cement broker. The land was owned by developer Evan Jones, who owned half of the block, divided the parcels, and sold semi-custom houses. The original address of the house was 22 East 9th Street before the number changing in 1893, when it became 212 East 9th Street. A similar house, located at 222 East 9th Street, lacks the tower and features a slightly different window configuration. Evan Jones and Job Male collaborated closely to create a cohesive aesthetic for the neighborhood, evident in the concrete Italianate homes found throughout the Crescent Area Historic District and the Putnam Watchung Historic District. In 1890, James W. DeGraff purchased the home and moved in with his new wife, Carrie Millken, after their honeymoon. DeGraff served on the Muhlenberg board and was a philanthropist for many years. It is said that he planted every tree at the old Randolph Road hospital site.