I have already discussed DeKalb, Illinois & # 39; Most obvious example of Prairie style architecture, the oft-mistaken for a Frank Lloyd Wright work AO Anderson House. While prominent it is not the only example of the style in the city. Augusta Avenue is a good place to start, within a block of the Anderson House are two architecture by a key Prairie architect.
1908 - Dr. FN Rowan House
At 250 Augusta Avenue is the Dr. FN Rowan House, a Tudor Revival influenced structure designed by Oak Park, Illinois architect EE Roberts, though it is clearly not full-blown Tudor Revival. The curvilinear dormer seen here was a trademark of his Prairie style In fact, if you look, you can see other Prairie influences on the house, the broad, flat roof of the large porch, the porch itself, the overhanging eaves, all elements of Prairie style. Hipped roof are not a requirement. The half timbering, though, screams Tudor Revival. Roberts was an important architect who designed hundreds of homes in Oak Park alone. While Roberts is considered a Prairie architect, he never had any working association with his near rival Frank Lloyd Wright and always kept to his own vision of Prairie style architecture. The Rowan House was built in 1908.
1904 - Etna J. Wiswall House
The Wiswall House is another example of Roberts' work in DeKalb, this one taking me more a while Prairie tilt. While Roberts & # 39; credit for The house is clad entirely in stucco, features a large, pillar-supported porch, and hipped All hallmarks of Prairie style architecture. The house is believed to have been constructed in 1904.
C. 1895 Rankin House. Seemelessly blended with nature, the front door just is not where you.
The stucco clad, two-story Rankin House may well indeed be a work of architect George W. Maher. Maher was a noted Chicago Prairie style architect that John C. Farson House in Oak Park has been declared a National Historic Landmark. The Rankin House has a front door that just is not where you would expect it. The home was built c. 1895.
The door is along along the east side, along with a large chimney.
It's very similar, along with another DeKalb house at 594 W. Lincoln Hwy, to other Maher missions.
The layout of the chimney and portico is reminiscent of John S. Van Bergen & # 39; s work. 1924 - 115 N. First St ..
Another DeKalb Prairie style house is located at 115 N. First Street. The tall rectangular chimney located on the front of the north facade, near the portico (wiki) , is found in the same layout in a 1910 John S. Van Bergen designed apartment complex in Oak Park. Possible evidence of his hand? Hard to say.
The main entrance is located along the north facade, not the front (east facade).
The house is a nice Prairie example, broad, overhanging hip roofs, a large, pillar supported front porch, and a main entrance moved to side in lieu of a lot of glass, the natural light to pour into the structure. appears to hug the ground, an appearance that is enhanced by the building set into a hillside.
Both sides feature porticos and the home has a Prairie-style horizontal emphasis.
The Prairie style house on First Street, with the green tile roof, dates from about 1924 (seen two images above) layout reinforces the horizontal emphasis of the home. .
You can get more detail about all of these houses in the articles linked.. Wikipedia entries that are linked (mostly by me, for you) will give you information about the architects and other information listed in this post. Enjoy.
Online Resources
* FN Rowan House: 2004 Daily Chronicle article
* FN Rowan House: Old Photo - 1970 s photograph
* EJ Wiswall House: 2005 Daily Chronicle article
* EJ Wiswall House: Old Photo - 1970s photo
* Rankin House: 2005 Daily Chronicle article, another 2005 article
* Rankin House: Old Photos - Oldest known photo; 1970s - 1, 2
* 115 N. First Street: 2005 Daily Chronicle article
* Wikipedia: John S. Van Bergen, EE Roberts, John C. Farson House (all by me), George W. Maher (not by me)
A keen eye will spot other examples of Prairie architecture in DeKalb, something we will explore at a later date. Tomorrow, follow me to the tiny village of Esmond, Illinois.
