When Nancy Farquhar first walked through the doors of the Sawyer Mansion, she was floored by its beauty.

Now the historic home she and her family helped restore and preserve for the past 12 years is on its way to becoming an Elgin landmark. (Photos: City may recognize historic home)

City council members have given preliminary approval to granting landmark status for the Farquhar family’s home at 806 W. Highland Ave. and could finalize the decision later this month.

“It’s a beautiful old home and it deserves to be maintained that way,” Farquhar said. “I love the sense of history to it and just feel honored we’re able to carry on some of that tradition.”

The Queen Anne style house was built in 1893 and served as the residence of William Sawyer, a local business executive who also served on the Kane County board of supervisors and Elgin Board of Trade, according to the Farquhars’ research.

Local architect W.W. Abell designed the house with its curved exterior walls and windows, wrap-around front porch and second floor parade porch. Abell’s creativity also was behind the McClure Mansion, 770 W. Highland, and the Wilcox House, 327 W. Chicago St.

The Sawyer Mansion sits at the intersection of Highland and Larkin.

“It’s such a prominent intersection, Elginites for the last 100 years know this house, so we are very proud this house is being landmarked,” said Jennifer Fritz-Williams, historic preservation planner for the city.

Another well-known resident besides Sawyer was pediatrician Robert Ollayos, who housed not only his family but his practice in the home for 30 years until 1981.

Nancy and Dann Farquhar purchased the house in 1999 after falling in love with its history, beauty and the six bedrooms that could accommodate their eight children.

Nancy Farquhar said the family isn’t afraid to tackle renovation projects and has been working on the house ever since they bought it. They have replaced the roof, removed the secondary siding, painted the exterior, and renovated several of the bathrooms and bedrooms.

They did the work themselves when they could and also have had help from the Admirers of Beautiful Old Dwellings of Elgin as well as their church.

Future projects include restoring the porch balustrades and replacing the interior ceiling panels.

If the house becomes a landmark, the Farquhars will have to follow strict guidelines for improvements, but the family says they don’t mind as they already intend to keep any changes in line with the historic character of the house. As the owners of a landmark home, they will be able to apply for city grants and also may be eligible for state and federal tax credits.

The Farquhars had to do extensive research on the home and its former residents in order to apply for landmark status. In January, they received approval from the city’s Heritage Commission and now are awaiting final approval from the city council.

Mayor Ed Schock on Wednesday praised the Farquhars’ request for landmark status, saying it is “another great step in a community where we prize preservation.”

If designated a landmark, it will be the city’s 21st. Other local landmarks include the Elgin Public Museum and Lords Park Pavilion.

Fritz-Williams said the city appreciates when owners of historic homes take the time to enter into the landmark program, saying they “make a commitment for future generations of Elgin to see a piece of its history.”

For Nancy Farquhar, a love of old things and the history behind them make the house a joy to own.

“To have a whole house that represents that is really just very fulfilling and fun,” she said. “It’s been a blessing.”