Ulysses G. Orendorff House, Prairie School residence in Canton, Illinois
The Ulysses G. Orendorff House is a Prairie School residence in Canton, Illinois. It features two prominent front gables with wooden grids displaying rows of windows and geometric patterns, accompanied by a carriage house with additional structures.
The house was built in 1902 for the son of an agricultural equipment manufacturer and designed by Robert C. Spencer, who trained under Frank Lloyd Wright. This connection to Wright's influence made it an important example of early modern architecture.
The home reflects how residents around 1900 sought connection to nature through expansive windows and natural materials in daily life. This design approach was novel and departed from the heavier, darker homes of earlier generations.
The house is located in a residential neighborhood and visible from the street, allowing for exterior viewing. Access to interior spaces depends on special openings or permissions, so visitors should check ahead.
The home was known locally as 'Redcrest,' a name reflecting its distinctive horizontal design elements. This local designation shows how the community recognized and named this architectural innovation.
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