Sep 14, 1972
Frank Thomas House - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The house is felt to be important because it is the first design Wright actually built in the "Prairie Style, " after publishing a design for " A Home in a Prairie Town" in Ladies Home Journal in 1901. Its pioneering features are very broad overhangs and low-pitched roofs with built-in gutters. Casement windows are used throughout and there are many arts glass windows especially on the main floor. The fireplace s is all handsomely designed. There are many built-in cabinets and shelves. The emphasis on the horizontal line is strong giving the house a very "modern" look for its time; the treatment of the exterior wall surfaces helps to give the house a "low" look. The house is certainly a direct predecessor of the Robie House design of 1908. The house is presently "threatened" because of the proximity of the site to existing multi-family buildings; the zoning allows 14 apartments on the 87-foot x 160-foot lot. The house is at the south end of Forest Avenue, Oak Park's most important street of residences designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, including the Wright Home and Studio at Chicago Avenue and Forest Avenue.
Frank Thomas House - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The house is felt to be important because it is the first design Wright actually built in the "Prairie Style, " after publishing a design for " A Home in a Prairie Town" in Ladies Home Journal in 1901. Its pioneering features are very broad overhangs and low-pitched roofs with built-in gutters. Casement windows are used throughout and there are many arts glass windows especially on the main floor. The fireplace s is all handsomely designed. There are many built-in cabinets and shelves. The emphasis on the horizontal line is strong giving the house a very "modern" look for its time; the treatment of the exterior wall surfaces helps to give the house a "low" look. The house is certainly a direct predecessor of the Robie House design of 1908. The house is presently "threatened" because of the proximity of the site to existing multi-family buildings; the zoning allows 14 apartments on the 87-foot x 160-foot lot. The house is at the south end of Forest Avenue, Oak Park's most important street of residences designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, including the Wright Home and Studio at Chicago Avenue and Forest Avenue.
Sep 14, 1972
Posted Date
Apr 07, 2022
Historical Record Date
Sep 14, 1972
Source Name
United States Department of Interior - National Park Service
