c.1878 Five Bedroom Illinois Italian Villa – The Sarah Martin House Under $145K

c.1878 Five Bedroom Illinois Italian Villa – The Sarah Martin House. This historic home is on the National Register. A stunning time capsule and a great deal.

Impressive 5 BR, 1.5 bath Italian Villa style home is ready for new owners to continue it’s historic journey, after being placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Built w/ brick layered 16-22 inches, wrought iron fence, windows topped w/ ornamental cut stone & cast iron headers, as well as several leaded & etched glass windows. Interior boasts hardwood floors, amazing untouched woodwork, tall ceilings, magnificent walnut spiraling staircase, plus a 2nd staircase, ornate ceilings, pocket doors, 3 fireplaces, & more. Tap into the potential to restore the landscaped yard to previous beauty of flowing fountains, utilizing the current flowering plants & trees, & parklike design. Original concrete blocks & materials were left to recreate the original front porch. Sandstone foundation. Water heater ~3 years old. 2 CAs & 2 Furnaces. 2 car detached garage needs new door. This home has been previously divided into 5 apartments & would make a wonderful B&B as an investment opportunity w/ proper accommodations made or a phenomenal residential home. Selling AS-IS. Pre-qualified buyers ONLY. 

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John Martin (1821-1880), a farmer and banker, was the original owner. It was designed by John Cochrain, who also designed the Illinois and Iowa state capital buildings. John and his wife Mary (1834-1880)  lived in the home with their children William, Howard, Sarah and Freddie. Both John and his wife Mary died in 1880 within a month of each other, and the house was inherited by daughter Sarah Martin when she was just 14 years of age. Sarah was well-educated at a time when women rarely had a college education. In 1914, she married John Fahey, and the couple relocated to Sunnyvale, California. Nonetheless, the kept possession of the Monmouth home until 1945.

Later, the Morris family owned the home.

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Pros & Cons of Living in Monmouth, IL

Pros

Affordable Cost of Living & Housing

• Overall living costs are notably lower—about 30% below the U.S. average and 25% below the Illinois state average.

• Housing is very affordable:

  • Typical home value: $85,800–$90,000, with rents around $650–$700/month—substantially lower than state/national figures.

Community & Historic Character

• A close-knit, “sparse suburban” environment with strong community ties and a neighborhood feel.

• Rich in history and architecture: downtown includes the Monmouth Courthouse Commercial Historic District with Italianate, Queen Anne, Art Deco, and more styles; Wyatt Earp’s birthplace is a museum here.

Education & College Presence

• Above-average local schools: Monmouth–Roseville High School earns a B+, and schools overall rate well in Niche’s evaluations.

• The presence of Monmouth College—an accredited liberal arts institution with around 727 students—adds cultural and educational vibrancy

Outdoor Amenities & Festivals

• Plenty of parks and green spaces (e.g., Harmon Park, Citizens Lake), plus community events like the Prime Beef Festival and a popular parade

• Walkability is high in many parts of the city, and average commute times are short (~15 minutes).

Strong Community Initiatives

• Ongoing investments in downtown revitalization, including multimillion-dollar streetscape enhancements (sidewalks, lighting, landscaping) and historic building restorations.

• Niche overall grade: B, with high marks in cost of living (A), diversity (A–), and commute (A–).

• Affordable and safe environment with friendly residents.
  

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Cons

Economic & Employment Challenges

• Employment opportunities are limited; local job market weaker compared to urban areas.
  
  

Mixed School Performance

• Though high schools fare well, standardized testing proficiency in math (≈23%) and reading (≈25%) are well below state and national levels.

Crime Concerns

• While some rankings show Monmouth as safe and affordable, detailed data show elevated property crime rates:

  • Violent crime is average, but property crime rate is higher than 90% of similarly sized communities (1 in 78 chance).

• Niche’s Crime & Safety grade is C+.

Demographic & Infrastructure Limitations

• Small, declining population (from 9,444 in 2010 to ~8,900 in 2020), which may affect long-term economic vitality.

• Limited local amenities—nightlife is rated B+, but services, shopping, and entertainment options are relatively modest.

• Public transit is limited, and some areas may lack proximity to shops and services.

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