I was surprised to learn that before Frank Lloyd Wright became an internationally-recognized name in the world of design, he spent many years in Oak Park, Illinois, designing homes for Chicago-area residents and neighbors. Most of these homes are within walking distance of his home and studio.
To see my post on his home and studio click HERE
My wife and I did a drive by of the neighborhood. In most cases it is fairly easy to pick out a Wright designed hose among the mostly Victorian ones in the area.
The following is a compiled list of these 25 houses. I enjoy how Wright went out of his way to make each home individual and different. There are several articles online and walking tours that include these residences. So here is a list in random order:
Harry S. Adams House
710 Augusta Street, Oak Park, IL 60302
This was the last home that Wright designed for the Oak Park suburb. Built in 1913, the home displays many of the Prairie characteristics of Wright's work.
William E. Martin House
636 North East Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Built between 1902 and 1903, the William E. Martin House is
a fairly tall structure compared to the usual squat one- to two-story Prairie
style homes with flat rooflines that Wright is well known for designing. Back
in 2010, the house hit the market and spent three years bouncing on and
off the MLS before it sold in September 2013 for $1.075 million.
Oscar B. Balch House
611 North Kenilworth Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Like many of Wright's homes, the Oscar B. Balch House is architecturally significant for being a design completed at the height of Wright's exploration of the Prairie School movement. However, this home is also important for being Wright's first commission after returning to Oak Park after abandoning his family and escaping to Europe with his mistress, Mamah Cheney. The home was built in 1911.
William G. Fricke House
540 Fair Oaks Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Built between 1901 and 1902, the Fricke House is notable for
being one of Wright's early "true" Prairie style homes. The home,
which features a tall, lean, and strikingly modern appearance, was designed by
Wright during a short-lived partnership with the architect Webster Tomlinson.
Harry C. Goodrich House
534 North East Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Built in 1896, the Goodrich House is one of the older Wright homes in the area. It predates Wright's full-fledged dive into Prairie style, but it does feature hints at the emerging style. For instance, if the steep-pitched roof were not a part of the design and the window band was flattened, the house would be a strong example of Wright's brand of Prairie School.Edward H. Cheney House
520 North East Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Constructed in 1901 for Mamah Borthwick and Edwin H. Cheney, the low-slung house initially appears to be a single-story brick bungalow-style residence, but the brick wall surrounding the property conceals the above-ground basement level. The commission was also Wright's introduction to Mamah Borthwick Cheney, who he would later participate in a romantic affair with.Rollin Furbeck House
515 Fair Oaks Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Not to be confused with the George Furbeck House also in Oak
Park, the Rollin Furbeck House is considered Prairie School Style. The
tall home represents a departure to Wright's typical modest, low-hanging
rooflines and represents a more grand scale of Prairie style.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Perhaps the most famous Wright-designed home in Oak Park is
Frank Lloyd Wright's personal home and studio on Chicago Avenue. Wright built
the home in 1889 with a loan he secured through his employer and legendary
Chicago School architect Louis Sullivan. Today, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust
manages and maintains the property. The group also provides daily guided
tours through the house.
To see my post about the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio click HERE
1019 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
The Parker House is one of Wright's infamous "bootleg" homes—commissions that Wright took under the table during his employment with Sullivan & Adler. Wright built a few bootleg homes in Oak Park, but Louis Sullivan eventually caught wind and ultimately dismissed Wright from his firm. The house sold in July of 2014 for $750,000, but returned to the market in May 2017 seeking $840,000. It found a buyer in late 2019 for a lower sum of $685,000.1027 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Another bootleg home, the Thomas Gale House is representative of Wright's earlier work. The house's design is very similar to the nearby Robert P. Parker House. Both homes exhibit more Victorian influences—such as steeply pitched roofs and angular turrets—when compared to the designer’s later style.1031 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
While the Walter Gale House shares some aesthetic similarities to Wright's bootleg homes, the house is actually a legitimate commission—it was Wright's first independent commission after being fired by Louis Sullivan in 1893. The house stands immediately next door to the Thomas H. Gale House.Francis J. Woolley House
1030 Superior Street, Oak Park, IL 60302
Similar to Wright's other bootleg homes, this Queen Anne built in 1893 is very representative of Wright's early work. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and Wright's teacher Joseph Silsbee, the home is more representative of its era and not necessarily of Wright's personality or the Prairie style that Wright would later make famous. The house listed in September 2014 for $1.2 million and sold just five days later.Nathan G. Moore House
333 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
The Nathan Moore House is a little bit of an oddball in terms of Frank Lloyd Wright houses. It was originally designed and built in 1895 in the Tudor Revival style, at the request of the homeowner. It was said that this house was never a personal favorite of Wright's, a fire in the early 1920s allowed the architect to add some Prairie School elements during the home's renovation.William H. Copeland House
400 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
If this house doesn't look like a Frank Lloyd Wright home it's because it was originally built in the 1870s—long before Wright made his mark on Oak Park. However, the home was extensively remodeled by Wright in 1909. The property was recently on the market for $1.17 million.Arthur B. Heurtley House
318 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
The Arthur B. Heurtley House is not just one of Wright's most important works in Oak Park, but it's generally recognized as one of the greatest designs in Wright's career. Constructed in 1902, the house is an early example of Wright's flair for Prairie elements, although the house isn't exactly modest with its arched entryway and large massing. The Heurtley House is considered Wright's Prairie School Style.Edward R. Hills House
313 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
By 1906, Wright had fully matured as an architect and his brand of Prairie School was well defined. Originally built in 1874, the house was relocated and almost entirely remodeled by Wright in his signature Prairie School style.334 North Kenilworth Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
The Young House is another home that was built in the 1870s but later remodeled by Wright in the 1890s. Though originally built in the Tudor Revival style, Wright added a wide outdoor porch and fireplaces to the living room and master bedrooms. The house was also pushed back 16 feet from its original location on the property.Charles E. Roberts House
321 North Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
This home was originally designed and built by the iconic
Chicago firm Burnham & Root in 1879. In 1896, Wright was hired to remodel
the interior of the house. Charles Roberts would later tap Wright for other
assignments.
Charles E. Roberts Stable House
317 North Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Similar to Charles Roberts' main house, this old barn and stable was remodeled in 1896. The barn was later transformed into a residence by former Wright associate Charles E. White, Jr.Laura Gale House
6 Elizabeth Court, Oak Park, IL 60302
Designed and built in 1909, the house not only exemplifies
Wright’s brand of Prairie style, but it’s actually an evolution that would
ultimately lead Wright to design his iconic and world-famous Fallingwater in
southwestern Pennsylvania. The Laura Gale House is Wright’s first residence to
feature a prominent cantilevered design.
Peter A. Beachy House
238 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
Originally a small Gothic-style cottage, this home was
extensively remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1906. The interior of the house
was almost entirely rehabbed and Wright designed custom furniture to accompany
its refreshed look.
George W. Furbeck House
223 North Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
The George Furbeck House is quite compact and toped with pointed turrets. Considered a transitional work, the house was designated an Oak Park landmark in 2002. The Furbeck House had bounced on and off the market for several years before finally selling for $650,000 in March 2014.210 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
George W. Smith House
404 Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
This home reflects a transitional period for Wright, as it blends both Queen Anne and Prairie elements together. The house was originally commissioned by Charles E. Roberts, but was eventually purchased by and named after George W. Smith, a Marshall Field & Company salesman. The house was designed by Wright in 1895 but completed in 1898.Wright also designed and attended the Unity Temple Church. Click HERE
to see my post about it.
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