This lot used to be part of a parcel of land stretching west on Commerce Street from Lodge Lane to Union Avenue in 1919 on which crops were grown. In 1925, Dr. J. Lee Hopkins (1873-1932) and his wife, Sarah, built a large brick house on the corner of Commerce Street and Union Avenue, leaving the remainder of the parcel open. That property (now called the Carroll House) was sold in 1941 to T. Milton Carroll and his wife, Christine. The following year, the Carrolls deeded this part of the property to their daughter, Mary A. Carroll (1908-2005).

At some point during the 1930s a house was built among the trees on this easterly lot of the parcel. The house underwent many renovations and additions over time, some of which are remembered by locals. For some years, it had brown cedar shingles; others remember a curved glass solarium on the top floor in the 1980s with a hammock from which the residents watched Tydings Park and boats in the water; and later still the current dormers were added, along with light brick or faux brick covering the house. It was during some of these transitions that Mary Carroll sold the home to Dr. Jerome R. “Jerry” Johnson in 1971. The house has wood floors, a first floor bedroom, central air-conditioning, and an attached garage.

Dr. Jerry Johnson was born in Indiana in 1928 and grew to love travel and adventure but also was known as a scholar who loved learning. Having served in the Army during WWII, he earned advanced degrees, worked at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, and after retirement became a publishing consultant. He also authored and published three books on information from the Bible. He was a devoted member of First Christian Church on Giles Street.

This house stood just in front of a beautiful 400-year-old cherry tree that was 101 feet tall with a spread of 85 feet that was nominated in 1981 to become State Champion. In December 2017, Dr. Johnson had to have the tree removed, amid some controversy, due to its condition. The large stump remains behind the house in the garden.

In March 2018, Dr. Johnson passed away and the house and property were sold at public auction in December 2018 to Robert W. Wright (he had previously lived next door). In September 2021 Robert W. Wright sold this property to Michael and Irene Opendak from Pennsylvania.

County Records
Built 1930. 2551 sq ft, 2 stories with basement, fireplace, 2 baths, attached garage, 10,800 sq ft lot.