HUNTLEY – Residents have urged the Village Board to remember its commitment to preserving local history while it decides whether to demolish or redevelop a newly acquired downtown building.

Commissioners from the Huntley Historic Preservation Commission approached the Village Board on Thursday out of concern the white, two-story building at 11801 Main St. – a 20th century mill the village acquired earlier this month – would be torn down.

Commissioners argued the mill was built in the 1890s and belonged to W.G. Sawyer and John Kelley, two influential Huntley businessmen who operated another mill at the former Marlowe Feed & Hatchery building.