2000 Historical Home Tour

For the first time, the tour was comprised of 4 different types of structures. P.A.S.T. was pleased to present a private home, working barn, historical church and restored business building.

Jonesboro Home

This land south of the square in Jonesboro was originally purchased by John Grammer, first representative from this area to the 1812 State Legislature. In 1914 Oscar and Georgia Karraker purchased the property and built the large two story frame house. The home was purchased and remodeled by Ernest and Hazel Sauerbrunn in 1970. The current owners purchased the home in 1988, maintaining the original woodwork and staircase.

Walton Farm

In the mid-1860's, James K. Walton built this "bank barn with forebay" in the Pennsylvania style of his childhood in rural Union County. The barn is built of hand hewn 50-foot white oak beams with limestone foundations. The mortise and tenon construction features wooden pegs. The barn was built with large stalls underneath for work horses. The upper portion was used to store hay and grain. This barn has been in continuous use since its completion. The Walton Farm barn now houses sheep instead of horses.

Historical Church Building -- Kornthal Church

Kornthal Church was built in 1860 by Lutheran families who immigrated from Austria. These families settled in Union county and called this valley in southern Illinois "Kornthal" which means "valley of grain". The church is built in a typical Austrian design. The front entry and steeple were added in 1889. Until 1923, all services were conducted in the German language. The church was closed in 1949 and reopened in 1953 with services conducted only four times per year. The church is listed on the National Register for Historic Places.

Historical Business Building -- old State Bank Building/Keith Cotton Studio

This two story brick building was built in the late 1880's. The building originally housed the First State Bank of Cobden. The second floor rooms were originally built specifically to house the Mason's Lodge. In later years the second floor rooms were offices for doctors, lawyers, and businessmen. The current owners purchased the building in the 1980's and restored the interior walls. The second addition to the Keith Cotton Studio the building also houses a barber shop, art gallery, and library.