Riggin-Pesold House
Built c. 1837 photo from 1897
The Riggin-Pesold House was placed on the historical registry in 1972, when it was revived after being abandoned for 25 years. In 1970, Dennis and Mary Lou Ammann, a newlywed couple, along with their families, brought the house back from many years of neglect.
The house is a Second Empire style. The Second Empire architectural style became most popular between 1865 and 1900. Second Empire architecture developed from the redevelopment of Paris under Napoleon III’s Second French Empire and looked to French Renaissance precedents.
Prior to being a Second Empire, the house is thought to have been an Italianate, which is very similar in style.
The original section of the home in the rear of the house, is two rooms, and was most likely a small German Four-Square or Saltbox.
The fact the house is named Riggin-Pesold may provide false information. Upon obtaining copies of deeds not previously available, it appears Thomas Williams (b. 1785) owned the land from 1830-1859, which would make him the builder of our old girl (our name for this grand old lady). In 1859, Ralph Sellew purchased the home, owning it for seven years before selling it to Dr. George Bernays in 1866.
Dr. Bernays, his wife Mina, and their four remarkable children lived in the house while the two oldest children, Augustus and Thekla, attended McKendree University (then McKendree College). Augustus became a world-famous surgeon, performing the first cesarean section in St. Louis. Thekla would become an advocate for women’s suffrage, an international correspondent for the St Louis Post Dispatch newspaper, and a published author.
The house would pass through several other hands before landing in the hands of Henry Seiter in 1885. Mr. Seiter was an attorney, and served as lieutenant governor for the state of Illinois during the time he lived in the house. Mr. Seiter also was a partner in the bank in Lebanon. Eventually the bank lost money and was closed. Mr. Seiter sold the house during the bank fiasco.
The Pesold family are credited with creating the Second Empire we currently live in. Professor Frederick Pesold and his son Arnold started the music program at McKendree University. At one point this house was the music conservatory for McKendree, with the third floor ballroom hosting many dances and composing sessions. Arnold Pesold composed the McKendree Boys March within these walls! All five of the children who survived to adulthood became musicians and or taught music.
The house was also a tuberculosis sanatorium, owned by George Remick, a pharmacist, then became a Knights of Pytheus Hall, and for many years an antique store was in the carriage house. Several additional owners have raised their families within these walls, and we’re proud to be the current caretakers of the Riggin-Pesold House!
Riggin-Pesold House 