The community is rallying to save a New Canaan home that may be among the oldest in Fairfield County from the wrecking ball.

The house at Canoe Hill Road or Ferris Hill Road, depending on which address is used for the property, dates back to the 1730s and is an architectural landmark. Its wooden exterior, chipped paint and warped fence show its age. 

After trying to sell the property for a year and a half with no success, owner Max Abel is considering demolishing the home if no buyers come forward within three months. At one point, he had offered to build a bigger home on the property.

Tom Nissley, of the New Canaan Historical Society, doubts that supporters could raise enough money to buy the home themselves. "We're talking very big bucks," says Nissley. "Max paid $1,250,000 for the property. He'd like to make money on that."

Nissley also believes that the house's stone chimney would make moving it difficult. Still, he doesn't want to see the house demolished.

The house isn't on any historical registers, so the town can't stop the owner from tearing it down.