An old log house, appropriately called “The Old House,” stood tall in the early history of Arnold.
The house, which dates back to the Revolutionary War, was built on what is now Jeffco Boulevard just south of Telegraph Road on the Beck Ridge across from what’s now Harter Bakery.
The first floor took in two rooms with an open space that was covered by a roof. This “dog trot” eventually was closed in for a third room.
A second story was added in 1831.
Later, Theodore Kimm (who lent his name to Kimmswick) bought it and later sold it to a farmer, Emmanuel Beck.
Through the years, the log house was a trading post, a tavern (Gen. U.S. Grant is said to have frequented the place with fellow officers), a farmhouse and, as shown in the accompanying postcard, a curio shop run by antique dealers.
The structure was later moved to Kimmswick and was turned into a restaurant, which has since closed.
LOOKING BACK is a Leader online feature that highlights historic photos. Readers are invited to submit their historic Jefferson County photos for online publication. Send submissions to LOOKING BACK to nvrweakly@aol.com or bring or mail them to the Leader office, 503 N. Second St., Festus (P.O. Box 159, 63028). Please include your name, phone number, a brief description of what’s in the photo and tell us how you came by it. Please also include when it was taken, where and by whom (if known). A new LOOKING BACK feature will be posted each week.
