Warren Hickox House, Prairie School house in Kankakee, US
The Warren Hickox House is a Prairie School residence in Kankakee built in 1900 with white plaster walls and stained woodwork throughout. The layout emphasizes horizontal lines through geometric windows and retains most of its original built-in cabinetry, hardware, and lighting fixtures despite an updated kitchen.
The house was designed in 1900 for a real estate businessman and built next to a companion residence for his sister, both exploring the same architectural approach. This pair of neighboring homes documents early experiments with Prairie style principles applied to private dwellings.
The home incorporates interior design solutions developed for family living, with a central hearth and side alcoves in the main room that create separate zones. This layout shaped how the household organized its daily routine and social gatherings.
The property sits in a quiet residential area and is easily accessible on foot, with the facade and exterior fully visible from the street. Visitors can compare different design approaches by viewing the related historic houses nearby.
A reading nook in the back of the house features facing built-in bench seats that once served as an informal gathering spot for discussing architecture and design ideas. This intimate space reveals how private homes of this era also functioned as places for sharing and exchanging creative concepts.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
