Listed in Arkansas Register of Historic Places on 12/07/05
SUMMARY
The Iven and Alberta Horn Burnham House at 18 Old Bank Road in New Blaine is being nominated to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places under Criterion
C with local significance as a well-preserved example of a vernacular farmhouse. Though it was moved from its original location in 1998, which precludes
it from listing in the National Register, it has been beautifully renovated with respect for its historic integrity. Due to the move, it is also being
nominated under Criteria Consideration B: Moved Properties. The house remained in the possession of the Burnham and Horn families, who donated the
property to its eventual renovator, Mary Gehring. This nomination is being submitted to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places under the multiple
property listing, “Historic and Architectural Resources of New Blaine, Arkansas, 1920-1940.”
ELABORATION
Before 1900 travel in Logan County was difficult and slow. Rough dirt roads, dusty in the summer and muddy in the winter, made long trips uncomfortable and unpopular. Road crews had only primitive equipment to maintain the routes that wound throughout the county’s mountains. For this reason most people tended to stay in or around their home or community, venturing out only for an occasional trip to town. Likewise, children often remained in close interaction with their parents even after they married. The dealings between Jim and Lizzie Horn and their daughter, Alberta, are indicative of this phenomenon.
James Alexander “Jim” Horn (1857-1955) married Sara Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bell Horn (1862-1955) and they had eight children: Alberta Jane, James Wesley, Sara Etta, Pearl Lee, Gean Bell, Clarence Jefferson, Fred Ancil, and Effie Exie. When Alberta, the first-born, married Iven Burnham in 1896, Iven and a Mr. Koch built a house that they would eventually sell to Alberta’s parents. Mr. Koch again assisted Iven in building another home which was located on the Old Military Road. The builders used oxen to transport lumber for the house, which was completed in 1909.
Iven Burnham died only two years after the completion of their new home, leaving Alberta raise their three children alone. Fortunately for the widow, the house and the acre it sat on were paid for, but there was still a mortgage on the 200 acre farm. Amazingly, Alberta was able to farm the land and make enough money to pay off the debt.
By the time the house passed down to the Burnham’s grandchildren, it was deteriorating and badly in need of repair. Its remote location had exposed it to a great deal of vandalism, and the Burnham and Horn families expressed a keen interest in restoring the old home before it was too late. They donated the house to New Blaine citizen Mary Gehring, who planned to move the home and restore it.
In 1998 Gehring had Lindell Hill and Combs Housemoving relocate the house to New Blaine about five miles from its original location on what is now Highway 22. Renovation of the house was completed with special consideration for historic authenticity. Once a single-family dwelling, the home is now open to the public and can be toured by appointment.
SIGNIFICANCE
The Iven and Alberta Horn Burnham House at 18 Old Bank Road in New Blaine is being nominated to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places under Criterion
C with local significance as a well-preserved example of a vernacular farmhouse. Though it was moved from its original location, which precludes it
from being listed in the National Register, it has been beautifully renovated with respect for its historic integrity. Due to the move, it is also
being nominated under Criteria Consideration B: Moved Properties. This nomination is being submitted to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places under
the multiple property listing, “Historic and Architectural Resources of New Blaine, Arkansas, 1920-1940.”
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gehring, Mary. Telephone interview. 29 July 2005.
Logan County Historical Society, Logan County, Arkansas: Its History and Its People. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company, 1987.