Want a historic home? Buy in Elgin, magazine says

Elgin has been named one of the best places in the United States to buy an old home by "This Old House" magazine.

The July/August issue hits newsstands later this week but has already been delivered to some subscribers.

City officials and neighborhood leaders had a good idea Elgin would being named to the list - which contains a town from each of the 50 states and one in Canada - when magazine editors asked for more information about the city earlier this year.

"It's a compliment and it's something we already knew - that this is one of the best neighborhoods to buy a house in," said Kerry Kelly, president of Elgin's NorthEast Neighbors Association (NENA.) "The magazine also was looking for a sense of neighborliness, and we have that going on. We have a fabulous housing stock in Elgin."

Keith Pandolfi, the magazine's associate editor, said the city's diverse architecture, affordable housing stock, closeness to transportation and overall camaraderie worked in Elgin's favor.

It also helped that magazine editors received nominations from two key homeowners groups, the Gifford Park Association and NENA.

"We were looking for places that were under people's radar. A lot of people have heard of Oak Park. Not a lot of people think about Elgin," Pandolfi said.

He noted that many Elgin homes have intricate details such as original millwork, decorative fireplace mantles and wraparound porches ideal for restoration.

City preservationist Jennifer Fritz Williams noted that Elgin has numerous grant programs to encourage preservation and restoration in any of Elgin's four historic districts.

She noted residents have built a strong foundation for preservation and she is pleased to see the city recognized.

"This highlights a very positive area of the city and gives it national attention," she said. "The good publicity we get out of this will go much further than any monetary award."