Thank you for this! My grandmother came to OP in the late 1800's as a young teen with her parents and siblings from Kenosha, Wi. Went to high school at the same time as Hemingway. He was a senior when she began. As an adult she married. Her daughter, my mother was born there, then mom married and had my sisters and I in the same home and with my dad all lived in that house. Grandparents lived downstairs, my family lived up. The single family home was divided into a two-flat during the depression to help bring in more income. We left in 1985 and If I could buy that house again I would! We lived a block N. on Forest Ave from the FLW home and studio. I give credit to OP for my love of architecture, all of the arts, and diversity.
I grew up and still live here in Oak Park. I'm 38. It's changed, good and bad, but it is what it is. What I love is that I've worked for Hephzibah Children's Association, the longest running childrens home since 1886, for the last 22 years! In spite of the changes, Oak Park still has a lot to offer.
What he calls the "viaduct" is usually called the embankment. It carries more than the Green Line of the L. In fact, the L wasn't operating on the embankment until late 1962. Before that, it ran at street level along the south side of the embankment from Harlem to Laramie (in Chicago) where it had a grade up onto the iconic elevated structure the rest of the way into Chicago. What WAS on the embankment was the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad which ran freight, long distance passenger trains, and commuter trains. The long distance passenger trains are now Amtrak. The commuter trains are now Metra. And the freight now is the Union Pacific which acquired the C&NW.
The thing about Frank Lloyd Wright buildings is they leak like sieves. I lived in Oak Park for many years and scaffolding around both public buildings and private homes was common. Apparently it is the design of the rooves and supporting walls that lend itself to ultimate wear and seepage. The best part is the beautiful built in shelves, benches, dressers and drawers. You hardly need furniture to move in. Local landscapers seem to specialize in the prairie plants, making for sustainable yards. Nice place to live.
Native Oak Parker here, with all the fanfare about OPRF, not mentioning Fenwick High School and its many accomplished graduates seems like a missed opportunity. Pulitzer Prize winner, Astronaut, Olympic Gold Medalist, etc.
Grew up in Oak Park. Now it’s the town I love to hate. Filled with self entitled elites who think their shit don’t stink. The school system has gone to hell. Keep promoting Frank Lloyd Wright but try living in Oak Park.
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Thank you for this! My grandmother came to OP in the late 1800's as a young teen with her parents and siblings from Kenosha, Wi. Went to high school at the same time as Hemingway. He was a senior when she began. As an adult she married. Her daughter, my mother was born there, then mom married and had my sisters and I in the same home and with my dad all lived in that house. Grandparents lived downstairs, my family lived up. The single family home was divided into a two-flat during the depression to help bring in more income. We left in 1985 and If I could buy that house again I would! We lived a block N. on Forest Ave from the FLW home and studio. I give credit to OP for my love of architecture, all of the arts, and diversity.
I grew up and still live here in Oak Park. I'm 38. It's changed, good and bad, but it is what it is. What I love is that I've worked for Hephzibah Children's Association, the longest running childrens home since 1886, for the last 22 years! In spite of the changes, Oak Park still has a lot to offer.
John you are a wonderful man! Would love to see you your more Chicago neighborhoods
Worth noting that Wright apprenticed with Louis Sullivan, who was the major inspiration to modern architecture.
What he calls the "viaduct" is usually called the embankment. It carries more than the Green Line of the L. In fact, the L wasn't operating on the embankment until late 1962. Before that, it ran at street level along the south side of the embankment from Harlem to Laramie (in Chicago) where it had a grade up onto the iconic elevated structure the rest of the way into Chicago. What WAS on the embankment was the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad which ran freight, long distance passenger trains, and commuter trains. The long distance passenger trains are now Amtrak. The commuter trains are now Metra. And the freight now is the Union Pacific which acquired the C&NW.
The thing about Frank Lloyd Wright buildings is they leak like sieves. I lived in Oak Park for many years and scaffolding around both public buildings and private homes was common. Apparently it is the design of the rooves and supporting walls that lend itself to ultimate wear and seepage. The best part is the beautiful built in shelves, benches, dressers and drawers. You hardly need furniture to move in. Local landscapers seem to specialize in the prairie plants, making for sustainable yards. Nice place to live.
Native Oak Parker here, with all the fanfare about OPRF, not mentioning Fenwick High School and its many accomplished graduates seems like a missed opportunity. Pulitzer Prize winner, Astronaut, Olympic Gold Medalist, etc.
Two words come to mind: "personal space". I'm not sure why. 😛
Grew up in Oak Park. Now it’s the town I love to hate. Filled with self entitled elites who think their shit don’t stink. The school system has gone to hell. Keep promoting Frank Lloyd Wright but try living in Oak Park.
grew up there too.i feel your pain but i don't hate it . I just marvel at the decline