DK Travel : Chicago : Frank Lloyd Wright’s Oak Park

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Oak Park

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This quiet suburb, seven miles (11 km) west of downtown Chicago, contains the world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings. It was here that Wright developed his Prairie style, (inspired by the flat lines of the Midwestern plains), influencing other architects such as George Maher. His work was first considered radical, even ugly, compared to the typical styles of the day. Walking through Oak Park’s quaint, tree-lined streets, it’s evident that Wright’s unique architecture does stand out from the norm – but in all the right ways.
For detailed information on opening hours call the Visitors’ Center. Most buildings open to the public are visited by tour only. Literary buffs take note: Ernest Hemingway’s Oak Park birthplace is open to the public (339 N. Oak Park Ave. 1-708-848-2222)

Top 10 Buildings

1. Unity Temple

This compact church (1908) wonderfully demonstrates Wright’s use of poured concrete for both structural and decorative purposes.
2. Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

2. Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

Built when Wright moved to Oak Park (1889), this is where he designed over 150 structures. The children’s playroom is luminous with signature art-glass windows.
3. Pleasant Home

This 30-room Prairie-style 1897 home built by George Maher, was Oak Park’s first to have electricity. It holds a small history museum, including exhibits relating to Tarzan creator and former local resident, Edgar Rice Burroughs.
4. Arthur Heurtley House

Wright’s beautiful 1902 house is absolute Prairie, with its low, wide chimney, and band of art-glass windows that makes the over-hanging roof appear to float.
5. Beachy House

An impressive 1906 home that contradicts many of Wright’s trademarks. Instead of just stucco and wood or brick and concrete, he used them all: it also has a seven-gabled, rather than a hipped, roof.
6. Charles Matthews House

Architects Thomas Eddy Tallmadge and Vernon S. Watson designed this elegant 1909 Prairie-style residence for a wealthy druggist. Among the interior details are Prairie-inspired light fixtures and folding art-glass doors.
7. Edwin Cheney House

Now a B&B, this home sparked a tragic love affair between Wright and Mrs. Cheney, leading him to abandon his family and practice. Mamah Cheney and her children were murdered at Wright’s Wisconsin home by an insane servant in 1914.
8. The Bootleg Houses

Wright lost his job over these three private commissions, built while he was actually employed by Louis Sullivan (see Louis H. Sullivan). Though Queen Anne-like in style, they hint at the design elements that were to be his hallmarks.
9. Nathan Moore House

Out of financial desperation, Wright built this charming Tudor-style home for his neighbor. After a fire destroyed the top floors in 1922, Wright’s modifications echoed his West Coast concrete block houses.
10. Harry Adams House

This striking 1913 home marks the last of Wright’s Oak Park houses and features several of the elements that made him famous, such as exquisite stained glass, and a low overhanging roof.

Practical Information

Dine Italian at family-run La Bella Pasteria (109 S. Marion St. 1-708-524-0044) The Visitors’ Center sells maps, books, and tickets for area tours (158 N. Forest Ave. 1-708-848-1500) El Station: Oak Park Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, 951 Chicago Avenue 1-708-848-1976 www.wrightplus.org tours by appointment only no DA Unity Temple, 875 West Lake Street Pleasant Home, 217 South Home Avenue Arthur Heurtley House, 318 Forest Avenue The Bootleg Houses, 1019/1027/1031 Chicago Avenue Charles Matthews House, 432 North Kenilworth Avenue Edwin Cheney House, 520 North East Avenue Beachy House, 238 Forest Avenue Nathan Moore House, 333 Forest Avenue Harry Adams House, 710 Augusta Boulevard