Arnold–Simonton House

The Arnold–Simonton House is a historic house in Montgomery, Texas, United States. Built in 1845 by Epaphras Joseph Arnold, it is the oldest house in Montgomery.[2] It became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964 as the Frontier Colonial Home[2] and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979;[3] however, it was delisted in 2015. Today, it serves as the museum for the Fernland Historical Park.[4]

Arnold–Simonton House
Arnold–Simonton House in 2008
Arnold–Simonton House is located in Texas
Arnold–Simonton House
Arnold–Simonton House is located in the United States
Arnold–Simonton House
Location770 Clepper Drive, Montgomery, Texas, United States
Coordinates30°23′12″N 95°42′04″W / 30.38667°N 95.70111°W / 30.38667; -95.70111 (Arnold-Simonton House)
Arealess than one acre
Built1845 (1845)
Architectural styleGreek Revival
Websitewww.fernland.org/simonton-house/
NRHP reference No.79002996[1]
RTHL No.7901
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 11, 1979
Designated RTHL1964
Removed from NRHPFebruary 23, 2015

History

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Epaphras Joseph Arnold[5] was a settler from Connecticut who arrived in Texas in 1835.[3] He settled in Montgomery, working as a physician, and originally built a log cabin on the site before replacing it with the current house in 1845; the old cabin became his office.[3] Arnold went on to become a member of the Medical Censors for the Republic of Texas, served as justice of the peace, and oversaw the establishment of Montgomery Academy.[5]

Following Arnold's death in 1858, the house passed to his daughter and son-in-law, Ludie and Reuben Simonton.[5] It remained in the Simonton family until 1976, when it was donated to the Montgomery Historical Society. The following year, it was moved to a lot on Rankin Street[3] and was used as the Montgomery City Hall. It was later moved to its current site at the Fernland Historical Park,[5] where it serves as a museum.[4]

In 1964, it became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.[2] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 11, 1979.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Frontier Colonial Home". Texas Historic Sites Atlas. Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Arnold-Simonton House" (PDF). National Park Service. 1979. Retrieved November 26, 2024. With accompanying pictures
  4. ^ a b Adatia, Noor (September 28, 2021). "Historical park in Montgomery marks 10 years". The Courier of Montgomery County. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Johnson, Frank (May 9, 2015). "Montgomery's Arnold-Simonton House the only county structure on National Registry". The Courier of Montgomery County. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
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