Curbed Chicago

NBC Chicago brings the sad, sad story of Linda Hatchell, a woman in the Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn, Ill., who may face foreclosure on an 1895 Victorian house that she bought for $1.

Hatchell came across the dilapidated old house in the late '80s, when it was owned by Glen Ellyn Bible Church and facing threats of demolition. She offered to buy it for its sale price—one single dollar—so long as she could get permits to have it moved 1.5 miles down Main Street to its current home, an expense that cost her $50,000.

Fascinated with period architecture and antiques, she gutted the entire thing, eventually refinancing and taking out a second mortgage to pay for the work.

Despite mounting medical bills after being diagnosed with cancer, Hatchell has been able to keep up with all her monthly mortgage payments—except, heartbreakingly, the final one.

The bank is now threatening to foreclose.

Editor's Note: Since publishing this story, NBC Chicago updated its story, and notes that numerous donations have been made to Hatchell. The article notes that, "Hatchell says she is overwhelmed and wants to thank everyone for helping her out. She plans to write a thank you card to everyone that sends her a card."