Abraham Lincoln – $1.2K in 1844, Lincoln Home, Springfield, Illinois

The Greek Revival home that was Mary and Abraham Lincoln’s for 17 years was purchased in 1844. Built in 1840, it had just been renovated to its ‘like new’ state. It was a lot smaller when it was built. During 1856, the couple expanded the abode to two full stories in 1856 as their family was growing. Lincoln was the 16th US President for four years until he was assassinated in 1865. He took the US through the very bloody Civil War and its resulting moral and political crisis. Thus, his legacy was that he abolished slavery, saved the Union, and made the federal government stronger.