guide to the famous architect’s buildings
There’s still plenty of summer left, so why not make time for a road trip to see each of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings in Iowa?
Wright, America’s best-known architect, was born in Wisconsin and lived much of his life in Illinois. He designed over 1,000 buildings throughout his career, many in the Midwest, including 11 in Iowa.
For those looking to take in the artistry of Wright’s creations, here’s where to find them in Iowa. (But take note: some of the buildings offer tours and host historical events throughout the year but others are private residences.)
Alvin Miller House
Location: 1107 Court St., Charles City
Year built: 1946
Tours? No; private residence.
History: On the banks of the Cedar River, the Alvin Miller house was originally built for the home’s namesake and his wife, Inez Miller. Wright’s plans initially called for a connected dental office where Miller, a dentist, would practice alongside his son, William Miller, and an additional residence for his son’s family. These plans were cancelled because of disagreements between the architect and residents, but a dental clinic was eventually added in 1996 by later owners who hired Taliesin Associated Architects, an architectural firm Wright founded, as consultants.
Find out more: www.alvinmillerhouse.com
Carroll Alsop House
Location: 1907 A Ave. East, Oskaloosa
Year built: 1948
Tours? No; private residence currently for sale.
History: The Alsop house is one of a pair in Oskaloosa; the Alsop and neighboring Lamberson families both asked Wright to design homes for them in 1947. The home was completed in 1951, and still features multiple pieces of Wright-designed furniture, including multiple dining tables and chairs. The red brick home is currently for sale, but is not on the market: the seller is entertaining bids over $450,000.
Find out more: www.savewright.org/building/alsop-house/
City National Bank and Hotel
Location: 5 West State St., Mason City
Year built: 1909
Tours? Yes
History: This historic Mason City building is the only remaining Wright-designed hotel in the world. The City National Bank and Hotel overlooks the city’s central park; alongside the hotel, it hosts space for a former bank and law offices, and is home to “Spirit of Mercury,” a statue by sculptor Richard Bock. The building was set for demolition, but in 2005 a group of citizens formed the “Wright on the Park” nonprofit to own and restore the historic building. In 2011, Stoney Creek Hotels opened the Historic Park Inn, restoring City National Bank and Hotel to its original purpose.
Find out more: www.wrightonthepark.org
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Delbert Meier House
Location: 402 North Page, Monona
Year built: 1917
Tours? Yes
History: The Meier house was one of Wright’s first forays into prefabricated buildings; many parts of the Monona home were originally constructed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before its assembly onsite. The couple who now owns the home run a website called “This American House” which documents the renovation and restoration of the Wright building and wrote a book about the architectural era it came from, titled “This American House: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Meier House and the American System-Built Homes.”
Douglas Grant House
Location: 3400 Adel Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids
Year built: 1946
Tours? No
History: Built on a hillside on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids, the Douglas Grant house was constructed using limestone the Grants mined from the property. Donna Grant Riley, daughter of Douglas and Jackie Grant, wrote a book titled “An American Proceeding: Building the Grant House with Frank Lloyd Wright” about her experience growing up in the house, and watching her parents personally work to bring the architect’s vision to life.
George Stockman House
Location: 530 1st St., Mason City
Year built: 1908
Tours? Yes; www.stockmanhouse.org/stockman-house-tour
History: The Stockman House is currently operated by the River City Society for Historic Preservation after the building faced an ultimatum from Mason City in 1987: move or get demolished. The RCSHP rallied to preserve the Wright house, and with the help of grants, donors and community volunteers, was given the property by the city and moved it to a new location north of the Rock Glen Historic District. The house first opened for public tours after restoration in 1992, which continue year-round.
Jack Lamberson House
Location: 511 North Park Ave., Oskaloosa
Year built: 1948
Tours? No
History: The neighbor to Oskaloosa’s other Wright home, the Alsop House, the Lamberson House finished construction in 1947. The house, still used as a private residence, sits on a hill and contains unique features, including its “extensive use of 60- and 120-degree angles,” according to its file in the National Register of Historic Places.
Lowell Walter House
Location: Cedar Rock Park, Quasqueton
Year built: 1945
Tours? Yes
History: Original owners Lowell and Agnes Walter contacted Wright to build their home in rural Iowa after retiring from the Iowa Road Building Company, which they sold to their employees. The Walters lived in the home for over 30 years, but because they had no children, decided to donate the historic home to the people of Iowa. Agnes Walter donated the house to the Iowa Conservation Commission in 1982. The Walters said they wanted the home to be a “symbol of how big dreams can be attained when they are fueled by hard work” for guests and visitors, according to the Cedar Rock website.
Below the residence, Wright also designed a boathouse and pavilion with materials that match the house.
Paul Trier House
Location: 6880 NW Beaver Dr., Johnston
Year built: 1957
Tours? No
History: On the edge of the Des Moines River, Paul and Ida Trier commissioned Wright to build their house, modeled after an exhibition house built onsite at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. The Johnston home was the last house Wright built in Iowa.
Robert Sunday House
Location: 1701 Woodfield Dr., Marshalltown
Year built: 1955
Tours? No
History: Robert Sunday, who owned Marshall Lumber in Marshalltown, acted as his own contractor to construct the Wright house, which is now believed to be the last of its kind created in brick, according to the National Register of Historic Places. The home was expanded in 1970 to include a family room, terrace and dining room. The addition was designed by a Wright assistant, architect Jack Howe, to match the house’s original design.
Robin Opsahl covers trending news for the Register. Reach them at [email protected] or 515-284-8051.
