The F. B. Henderson home, located in Elmhurst, Illinois, is considered to be among one of the first of Frank Lloyd Wright’s official Prairie style homes. The Prairie style, invented and perfected by Wright over the years, would lead to many other styles of truly American architecture. Constructed in 1901, the F. B. Henderson house is an important part of Frank Lloyd Wright’s journey as one of the most famous architects in American history.
Early Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style Architecture: The F. B. Henderson House in Elmhurst, Illinois
Located on a corner lot with over have an acre of land, the F. B. Henderson home features a two car garage and a 27 foot veranda.
The exterior of the F. B. Henderson home is similar in appearance to the Fricke-Martin house, which was also built that same year in 1901 in nearby Oak Park, Illinois. Both the Fricke-Martin house and the Henderson house feature stucco exteriors along with wood trim. However, the Henderson house is more horizontal across the property, in comparison to the vertical design of the Fricke-Martin house.
The low hipped roof has been restored, complete with cedar shingles. The overhanging eaves compliment the 80 original art glass windows. All of these features would eventually, over the years, become a common sight in many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s residential designs. In the F. B. Henderson house, these features also aid in giving the home an overall horizontal feel and keep up with Wright’s overall vision for his developing Prairie style of architecture.
Inside, the completely restored F. B. Henderson home features 5 bedrooms along with 3 bathrooms. In addition, in the fully completed basement, there is also a guest quarters, which can be used as a nanny’s quarters. Therefore, the official count is 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The completed basement also comes with an exercise room, family room and a wine cellar.
Upstairs, the home features many of the original built-ins along with 3 brick fireplaces. There is a living room, dining room and a kitchen complete with a butler’s pantry.
The F. B. Henderson House Today (2010)
At the time of this article’s publication (October 2010,) the F. B. Henderson home has been up for sale. Originally listed at $2,000,000; the home has been reduced to a price of $1,850,000. Though the home is for sale, it is important that visitors remember to respect the privacy of any current and future owners.
Jennifer Gittins - Jenne is a 23 year old writer, photographer and musician. She intends to go back to school when the economy picks up for a degree in ...
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