If This House Could Talk...

By Bonnie Heidinger


If this house could talk it would say it was believed to be the oldest house in Jonesboro. The house is pictured in the book, Vernacular Architecture in Southern Illinois. Nelson Lingle built the home circa 1855 according to this reference.
 

The current owners, who have done a fabulous job of renovating it, have a copy of the abstract deed when Randolph Marshall bought the property in 1847 and sold a house and property to Moses Goodman in 1851 for $525. These records would indicate that the house was built by 1851. Mumford M. Goodman, son of Moses, later set up his doctor’s office on the property. At the time of the Lincoln and Douglas Debates in 1858, a “Jonesboro Ladies’ Seminary” occupied the dwelling, and young women from the school attended the debates.
 

Several features of the house are original. The grill work decorating the entrance balcony is original. The original red brick exterior has been painted white. The 18 inch interior and exterior walls, of course, remain. Although it was
unusual at the time, the house has some closets. However, one is only 8 inches wide!

Can you guess where this house is located and the current owners? If you would like to share information about this house including memories that you may have, please feel free to contact: PAST of Union County, P.O. Box 778, Jonesboro, IL 62952, or obtain information at pastonline.org.

Click here for the answer!