Soon after marrying his first wife, Catherine Tobin, Frank Lloyd Wright began working for the Sullivan and Adler architectural firm in nearby Chicago, Illinois. During this time in the early portion of the 1890s, Wright would design several additional homes at his own studio in order to earn extra income to support his newly growing family and his new wife.
This homes, created “off the books” while working for Sullivan and Adler would become known as Wright’s “bootleg” houses. The W. Irving Clark house is one of the first of Wright’s bootleg homes completed in La Grange, Illinois; commissioned in 1892 and completed in 1893.
Early Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture: The W. Irving Clark House in La Grange, Illinois
The W. Irving Clark home was previously thought to be the design of fellow architect E. Hill Turnock. However, during the 1960s following Wright’s death, plans and designs found at his Taliesin residence revealed that the Clark home was actually one of Wright’s own designs.
Many consider the exterior of the W. Irving Clark home to be similar in appearance to Wright’s own home and studio which he designed early in 1889, located in nearby Oak Park, Illinois. When walking up to the home, visitors will notice the two octagonal bays that are located on either side of the entrance.
It should be noted that Wright seemed to favor the octagonal bays during this time frame, as they are seen in several of Wright’s other homes produced during that same time period including the Warren McArthur house, the Robert Emmond house, the Robert P. Parker house and the Thomas H. Gale house; all built in 1892.
The home also features a dominant front gable accompanied by a cross gable. There is also a lunette window located on the third floor of the facade of the home.
Frank Lloyd Wright Bootleg Homes: The W. Irving Clark House in 2010
According to the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, the W. Irving Clark home was recently sold sometime during 1999. Throughout the years, it has remained a private residence, so little is truly known about the current state of the interior of the home.
Any visitors who wish to see the home should keep in mind that it is a private residence. That being said, it is important for any potential visitors to respect the privacy of any current and future owners and to keep off the property unless otherwise invited.
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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