1785 Sawyer Homestead land acquired from Potowatomi Indians by Francis Navarre where he built a cabin on this site. 1873, Sawyer family moves into Homestead. Staircase built from Navarre cabin logs. Gas pipes built into walls for future gas lighting (later – electricity ran through same pipes). 1881 Dr Sawyer was one of the early proponents of Homeopathy as the correct philosophy of medicine. He urged the University of Michigan to adopt this mode of medical practice; UofM accepted this medical philosophy in 1881. He was an American delegate to the International Homeopathic Congress in London in 1881 and was elected president of the National Institute of Homeopathy in 1889. He died in 1891. He served as Monroe’s Mayor twice (year). 1862 Jenny Sawyer was born May 20, 1862 to Nancy Degraff Toll-Sawyer. Jenny attended Boyd Seminary for Young Ladies in Monroe and completed her education in Dixon Illinois. In 1885, Miss Sawyer attended the Inaugural Ball for President Cleveland. Jenny was pretty, petite, brown-eyed, brown-haired, stylish, vivacious, well-traveled, and disdainful of gossip, and patriotic. 1901 Jennie was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church. In 1901 the Monroe Civic Improvement Society was organized. As Chairman, she arranged for the dedication of the River Raisin Battlefield Monument 1904. 

In every spacious and glamorous mansion, you'll always notice the fireplace. Above the fireplace, or hung prominently on a beautiful wall will be the portrait of the millionaires debutante wife, or maybe even a stately portrait of the founder of the company owned by the family. You have seen them I know. In various other rooms, you'll find a portrait of a family member all dressed up in the outfit of choice for a great safari, or in any regalia indicating his hobby or storied career. The wealthy, the prominent, always enjoy their family portraits. They are not only fun, but also a status symbol. And, they cost a small fortune to be commissioned. That's why you only see them in homes of the wealthy. 

The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is a coeducational public university in Monroe, Louisiana, United States and part of the University of Louisiana System. Its name changed again in 1949, to Northeast Junior College of Louisiana State University. A year later, it became an autonomous four-year institution as Northeast Louisiana State College. In 1969, it granted doctoral degrees for the first time and was elevated to university status as Northeast Louisiana University (NLU). Much of the growth occurred during the administration of president George T. Walker from 1958 to 1976. Under Walker, enrollment increased from 2,100 to 9,700. NLU became the largest university in North Louisiana in terms of enrollment and state appropriations. Among all of the universities under the Louisiana Higher Education Board of Trustees, Northeast had the greatest percent of faculty holding terminal degrees, more nationally accredited academic programs, and offered the highest faculty salaries.