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r The Montgomery House 695 West Mound Road Decatur IL 62526 A member of the Montgomery family owned and occupied the white farm house at the southwest comer of West Mound and North MacArthur Roads from 1856 to 1993. Prior to 1856 the land was owned by Philo Hale who gained title April 1, 1837, from the USA, Martin Van Buren, President After Mr. Hale died in 1847, the property was managed by the executors of his estate until January 1, 1856, when W.F. Montgomery purchased "forty acres more or less," including the homestead 'for a consideration of$1000." The builder of the house is unknown; however, members of the Montgomery family have given 1840 as the probable date of construction. The Montgomery House was the first home in the area outside Decatur proper. It was one of three Decatur homes cited by the city's first Centennial Recognition Program. The rear part of the house is original. The front porch, entrance hall, parlor and portions above, including the widow's walk on the roof, were built in 1885 by the first Montgomery owner, Wlliam Fletcher Montgomery. Upon his death in 1886, his widow Amelia held title for her lifetime (1902). Miss �mily S. Montgomery, a daughter, owned and occupied the house until her death in 1928. In 1929 Mrs. Minnie Carolyn Renshaw Montgomery (Mrs. J.F.), sister-in-law of Emily, purchased the house and approximately forty acres for$8884. During Mrs. Montgomery's ownership central heating, electricity and indoor plumbing were installed. The old outhouse is still in the back yard and is functional. In 1941, Mrs. Montgomery tumed the property, which included 4.16 acres of land, over to her daughter, Miss Alberta Montgomery, who lived there until she moved into a nursing home in 1974. The remainder of the farm was sold in 1958 for real estate developments, including the Montgomery Hills addition. Martha Montgomery purchased the house from her "Aunt Bert" in 1979. Projects completed by Miss Montgomery during her first 5 years of ownership include enclosing the back porch to accommodate a library and kitchen pantry, and renovation of the widow's walk. Terry and Heather Stoa purchased the Montgomery House in September 1993. Sources: "Places and People of Old Decatu�' (1975), Decatur Herald & Review 11/27180, Decatur Herald & Review article (approx. 1984). Copies attached.