“The original occupants of the Ludwig Epple House were Margaretha Epple, widow of Ludwig Epple (d. 1807), and her children: Ludwig (withdrew 1832), and Jacob (d. 1823), We are uncertain if their daughter Margaretha (b. 1806, d. 1814) ever lived in New Harmony, but she obviously died before the house was constructed.
The original two story home, with a 20 by 30 foot print, containing approximately 1200 square feet, plus an attic, was constructed ca. 1818 – 1821. A one and a half story addition was completed on the north side of the original home, at least by 1898. Fire destroyed earlier court records, but the 1898 record confirms the addition was then in place. When the attic of the addition was rebuild in 2012, creating the Wabash Suite, the roof timbers indicated the addition was actually two buildings that had been moved from elsewhere in New Harmony (a relatively common practice in that era). During the period from 1900 to 1990 various modifications were made: a front porch was added, windows enlarged, entrance moved to the south side of the building. During the “oil boom” the house was converted into three rental apartments.
More recently owners have worked to restore the feel and ambiance of the historic 1800s: windows and front door are historically correct, original floor plan recreated, etc.” (Ludwig Epple Guest House website)
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It is located in the New Harmony Historic District, and is now available as a short-term rental accommodation for those who want to experience history in person.
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