General John F. Farnsworth was a prominent early St. Charles resident who was a lawyer, Republican Congressman who helped nominate Abraham Lincoln for President, and Civil War General. He built his stately home in 1860 near the west bank of the Fox River west of what is now Mount St. Mary Park. He sold the home in 1872 and moved to Chicago. In 1885 all but the stone exterior walls burned down. The home was rebuilt in 1891 and then sold in 1907 for the Mount St. Mary Academy. In 1926, a four-story addition was added. The property was sold in 1972 for Valley Lutheran High School, which survived until 1989.
Noble House Development purchased the 14-acre site in 1992 with plans to clear it for 54 single-family. This caused an uproar. Despite strong objections from residents, Landmarks Illinois, and Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, the mansion was dismantled on March 3, 1993 and its sections placed in storage so that one day in the future, the mansion could be rebuilt.
To date, the mansion remains in storage.
The loss of the Farnsworth Mansion galvanized support for a St. Charles Historic Preservation Commission which was established in March of 1997.
Farnsworth Mansion as Mount St. Mary Academy prior to 1926, by C.E. Barrett.
Farnsworth Mansion as Valley Lutheran High School, 1993, by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley.
SOURCES: Mary Ann Costello, "Farsworth Mansion Leveled," Kane County Chronicle, March 3, 1993; Mary Ann Costello, "Farnsworth Mansion Dismantling Underway," Kane County Chronicle, October 24, 1992; Mary Ann Costello, "Developer Seeks Old Photograph of Historic Farnsworth Mansion," Kane County Chronicle, September 15, 1992; Pliny A. Durant, "Passing in Review: John F. Farnsworth," St. Charles Chronicle, April 24, 1903.