May 22, 1992
Mads C. Larson House - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The Mads Larson House meets Criterion C for listing on t h e National Register of Historic Places. I t is architecturally significant for the artistic way this basic bungalow combines Prairie School and Art s and Craft s influence. On the exterior it clearly exemplifies Prairie School architecture. The major design themes are horizontality and geometry. The structure' s horizontal emphasis is expressed by the narrow clapboards, horizontal board and batten siding, wide brick chimney, low pitched roof and wide overhanging eaves. In addition, there is a molded band at the sill line. At the ground level there is a horizontal band of small windows. Both three and two dimensionally, the exterior is divided int o rectangles. The glaze d porch extends the shape of the house to form an "L". Both the pier s and wall s of the entrance porch are divided into crisp rectangle s by the board and batten siding. Shallow geometric bands ornament the chimney, pier s and pilasters. Variation s of the banding design are repeated in the leaded front windows and glaze d front entrance door. The warm stained brown coloration of the house gives it the natura l appearance favored both by Prairie School and Art s and Craft s designers. Inside, the house demonstrates many fine Art s and Craft s characteristics. Simplicity dominates in the natura l wood moldings and geometric ornamentation. Both the panel and pie r divider s and the banded dining room ceiling that is divide d int o nine panels are Art s and Craft s features, and feature s that are found in many Maywood houses. A libera l use of wood is typically Art s and Crafts, and here it can be seen in the heavy wood moldings, built-in breakfronts and simply ornamented room dividers, pierced to create a flow of space. The brick fireplace, with its corbelled bands supporting a wood mantel is more Art s and Craft s than the flatter more crisply delineated Prairie School type. In keeping with the idea of healthful outdoor living the Art s and Craft s movement encouraged, there is a glaze d porch accessed directly from the dining room. The bungalow type is most often associate d with the Art s and Craft s ideology, and this house of modest size and simplified detailing is a handsome example of the type. With an extensive use of built-ins, simple painted wall surface s and practical floor plan, t was built as a low-maintenance house, easy for the homemaker to take care of. In its lac k of pretention, the Larson House exemplifies the more spartan ethic that gained popularity around the tur n of the century. Like many bungalows, this one blend int o its surroundings. Although Maywood has many bungalows, and several that have Prairie School influences, none quit e looks like this one, with its dark stained exterior. The others tend to be stucco with wood banding. Although the name of the architect is unknown, the floorplan is strikingly similar to the plan of the Mrs. Henry F. Aki n House a t 901 South 8th Avenue designed by Tallmadge and Watson in 1910.
Mads C. Larson House - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The Mads Larson House meets Criterion C for listing on t h e National Register of Historic Places. I t is architecturally significant for the artistic way this basic bungalow combines Prairie School and Art s and Craft s influence. On the exterior it clearly exemplifies Prairie School architecture. The major design themes are horizontality and geometry. The structure' s horizontal emphasis is expressed by the narrow clapboards, horizontal board and batten siding, wide brick chimney, low pitched roof and wide overhanging eaves. In addition, there is a molded band at the sill line. At the ground level there is a horizontal band of small windows. Both three and two dimensionally, the exterior is divided int o rectangles. The glaze d porch extends the shape of the house to form an "L". Both the pier s and wall s of the entrance porch are divided into crisp rectangle s by the board and batten siding. Shallow geometric bands ornament the chimney, pier s and pilasters. Variation s of the banding design are repeated in the leaded front windows and glaze d front entrance door. The warm stained brown coloration of the house gives it the natura l appearance favored both by Prairie School and Art s and Craft s designers. Inside, the house demonstrates many fine Art s and Craft s characteristics. Simplicity dominates in the natura l wood moldings and geometric ornamentation. Both the panel and pie r divider s and the banded dining room ceiling that is divide d int o nine panels are Art s and Craft s features, and feature s that are found in many Maywood houses. A libera l use of wood is typically Art s and Crafts, and here it can be seen in the heavy wood moldings, built-in breakfronts and simply ornamented room dividers, pierced to create a flow of space. The brick fireplace, with its corbelled bands supporting a wood mantel is more Art s and Craft s than the flatter more crisply delineated Prairie School type. In keeping with the idea of healthful outdoor living the Art s and Craft s movement encouraged, there is a glaze d porch accessed directly from the dining room. The bungalow type is most often associate d with the Art s and Craft s ideology, and this house of modest size and simplified detailing is a handsome example of the type. With an extensive use of built-ins, simple painted wall surface s and practical floor plan, t was built as a low-maintenance house, easy for the homemaker to take care of. In its lac k of pretention, the Larson House exemplifies the more spartan ethic that gained popularity around the tur n of the century. Like many bungalows, this one blend int o its surroundings. Although Maywood has many bungalows, and several that have Prairie School influences, none quit e looks like this one, with its dark stained exterior. The others tend to be stucco with wood banding. Although the name of the architect is unknown, the floorplan is strikingly similar to the plan of the Mrs. Henry F. Aki n House a t 901 South 8th Avenue designed by Tallmadge and Watson in 1910.
May 22, 1992
Posted Date
Apr 04, 2022
Historical Record Date
May 22, 1992
Source Name
United States Department of Interior - National Park Service
