In 1839, the Reverend Francis Springer purchased this lot and
built a house the same time that the future Lincoln Home was
being constructed across the street. In September of 1841, the
Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized at this
location. Springer served as pastor of the church until 1847
when he accepted the presidency of Hillsboro College in
Montgomery County, Illinois. By 1850, Springer had sold the
property to Charles Arnold at this time for $800. Arnold would
reside in the house from 1850 until 1879. Arnold was a political
ally of Abraham Lincoln, both being members of the Whig party.
He served twice as the County Sheriff on the Whig Ticket. By the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, a series of families made
their home on this corner lot. Additions were made to the
original structure. By 1917, Springer's early home had been
encased in brick and siding. By the mid 1990s, restoration work
was begun on the Arnold House, Springer's structure was found to
still survive as part of the later struc