George W. Smith House

The George W. Smith House is a residential building with wooden shingle cladding and steep double-slope roofs typical of the Shingle style period. Interior spaces feature high ceilings around 10 feet and an open floor plan design that was uncommon for the early 1900s.

The house was designed in 1895 and completed in 1898 as part of an economical housing project. Its first owner was a department store employee rather than the original client, showing how the intended use of the property shifted over time.

The house shows how residences looked around 1900 when American homes were shifting toward open living spaces. Visitors can observe how the rooms were arranged to feel larger and more connected than earlier Victorian-style homes.

The building sits in an established residential neighborhood in Oak Park and is accessible by foot or car. Note that this is a private residence, so visitors can only view the exterior from the street or sidewalk.

The roofline includes an unusual angled break that sets it apart from other homes of that era. Combined with a broad, flat chimney, these features give the house its distinctive appearance.

Location: Oak Park

Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright

Architectural style: Shingle style architecture

Part of: Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District

GPS coordinates: 41.88111,-87.79944

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:24