Recently we stopped at Cedar Rock State Park near Quasqueton, Iowa. The park has preserved the Lowell Walter Residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Unsonian style home was built in 1950 and donated to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources after Walter's death in 1981.
Cedar Rock is one of seven residences in Iowa designed by Wright. We have now visited most of them, and they are pictured in the FLW section of this blog. The interior took my breath away, and I took particular interest in the furniture that Wright designed for the livingroom.
Cedar Rock features the rare FLW signature tile.
Lot's of inspiration here! I post more pics soon in a second installment.
Frank Lloyd Wright's A. D. German Warehouse in Richland Center, Wisconsin is the only building designed by him in the city of his birth. I took these photos during our recent visit to the city.
I had no idea a Wright building was in town, but I spotted it immediately. The building is not currently in use.
During a recent visit to Oskaloosa, Iowa we spotted not one but TWO homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Just around the corner from the Carroll Alsop House is the Jack Lamberson Home completed in 1951.
The brick home also features wood, concrete, glass, and asbestos (yikes!) construction materials. Living spaces extend out from a central kitchen in the remarkable Usonian home.
Now, when you think "Iowa," think "Frank Lloyd Wright."
When I think of Oskaloosa, Iowa, I think of the statue of Native American Ioway leader Mahaska. I don't think of Frank Lloyd Wright. That is, not until now.
Oskaloosa has not one, but two Wright designed Usonian homes.
The Carroll Alsop House, built in 1948 is pictured above and below (click on photos for larger images). The brick home has cypress trim and a red asphalt shingled roof.
Also known as the Mitchell House, it has three bedrooms, one bath, a step-down livingroom, and a fireplace. It's an in-line design, but the master bedroom is angled 45 degrees.
Carrol Alsop was a women's clothier and department store owner in Oskaloosa.
Now when you think of "Osky" (the foreshortened moniker used by locals), think of Frank Lloyd Wright.
How did we find this Mid-Century modern Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian house on the banks of the Cedar River in Charles City, Iowa? Surely we researched Wright structures in Iowa and purposely sought it out while passing through the area.
Not exactly.
While returning from a film festival in Mason City we were passing through Charles City and looking for a quiet place to eat a submarine sandwich. Worse, although I thought the house on the water was wonderful, months passed before I discovered it was a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian.
Oh well, there goes any credibility I might have on this subject. : )
Built in 1946, it is known as the Dr. Alvin Miller House. Apparently Wright never visited the location, but instead relied on photographs and site surveys. Although the plans included an additional house and dental office for the property that were never built, an additional wing from Wrights drafts was added in 2007 using stone from the same quarry.
The L-shaped house is small at just 1000 square feet of living space and includes only one bedroom and a study that can double as a guest room. Dr. Alvin was 66, making him one of Wrights oldest clients.
The house features a flat roof with two levels and clerestory windows. Views from the rear-facing livingroom favor the Cedar River.
Charles City fell victim to the floods of 2008, and unfortunately this beautiful house seems to have been one of nearly 500 locals homes that were overtaken by the rampaging Cedar River. Check the clip below at about 3:42 for what appears to be a still of this house underwater.
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