I’ve already discussed DeKalb, Illinois’ most obvious example of Prairie-style architecture, the AO Anderson House, often mistaken for a work of Frank Lloyd Wright. While it is prominent, it is not the only example of the style in the city. In fact, there are other examples of the style from architects much better known than John S. Van Bergen. Augusta Avenue is a good place to start, within a block of the Anderson House are two examples of architecture by a key Prairie architect.
1908 – Dr. F. N. Rowan House
At 250 Augusta Avenue stands the Dr. FN Rowan House, a Tudor Revival-influenced structure designed by Oak Park, Illinois architect E.E. Roberts, though clearly not a full-fledged Tudor Revival. The curvaceous dormer seen here was a trademark of his Prairie-style work. In fact, if he looks, he can see other Prairie influences in the house, the wide, flat roof on the big porch, the porch itself, the overhanging eaves, all the elements of the Prairie style. The hipped roof is not a requirement. The half-timbering, however, screams Tudor Revival. Roberts was a major architect who designed hundreds of homes in Oak Park alone. Although Roberts is considered a Prairie architect, he never had any working association with his close rival Frank Lloyd Wright and always maintained his own vision of Prairie-style architecture. Rowan House was built in 1908.
1904 – Etna House J. Wiswall
Across the road from Rowan House, but still facing Augusta, is EJ Wiswall House. The Wiswall House is another example of Roberts’ work in DeKalb, this one showing more of a Prairie bent. While Roberts’ credit for the house is not a 100-percent certainty, it closely resembles a Roberts-designed home in Oak Park and is generally credited with earning Wiswall’s commission. The house is completely clad in stucco, has a large porch supported by pillars and hipped roofs with wide overhanging eaves; all the hallmarks of prairie style architecture. The house is believed to have been built in 1904.
Perfectly blending in with nature, the front door is not where one would think it should be. C.1895 Rankin House.
Of the early Prairie-style works in DeKalb, the Rankin House at 200 W. Locust Street was perhaps the most prominent architect of the group. The stucco-clad, two-story Rankin House may well be the work of architect George W. Maher. Maher was a leading Chicago Prairie style architect whose John C. Farson House (better known as Pleasant Home) in Oak Park has been declared a National Historic Landmark. Rankin House has a front door that’s not where you’d expect it to be. The house was built c. 1895.
The gate is along the east side, along with a large fireplace.
It is not known if the house was designed by Maher for sure, there are other candidates for its design, it is very similar, along with another DeKalb house at 594 W. Lincoln Hwy, to other Maher commissions.
The arrangement of the fireplace and portico recalls the work of John S. Van Bergen. 1924 – 115 N. First Street..
Another DeKalb Prairie style house is located at 115 N. First Street. This is another example of a house without a known architect, more research is needed. The tall rectangular fireplace located at the front of the north façade, near the portico (wiki), is in the same design in an apartment complex designed by John S. Van Bergen in 1910 in Oak Park. Possible evidence of his hand? Hard to say.
The main entrance is along the north façade, not the front (east façade).
The house is a fine example of Prairie, sweeping hipped ceilings, a large front porch supported by pillars, and a front entry moved to the side instead of an abundance of glass, allowing natural light into the room. structure. The building also appears to hug the ground, an appearance that is enhanced by the fact that the building sits on a hillside.
Both sides feature porticoes and the house has a Prairie-style horizontal emphasis.
Both the north and south façades feature porticoes, and the design of the north façade (seen in two images above) reinforces the house’s horizontal emphasis. The Prairie-style house on First Street, with its green tile roof, dates to around 1924.
You can get more details about all of these houses in the articles linked below. The Wikipedia entries that are linked to (mostly by me, for you) will give you more information about the architects and other information mentioned in this post. Enjoy.
online resources
*FN Rowan House: Daily Chronicle article from 2004
*FN Rowan House: Antique Photo – 1970’s Photograph
*EJ Wiswall House: Daily Chronicle article from 2005
*EJ Wiswall House: Old photo – 1970s photo
*Rankin House: Daily Chronicle article from 2005, another article from 2005
*Rankin House: Old Photos: The oldest known photo; 1970 – 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’ll explore at a later date. Tomorrow, follow me to the small town of Esmond, Illinois.
