B. Harley Bradley House, Prairie School architecture residence in Kankakee, Illinois.
The B. Harley Bradley House is a residence built in the Prairie School style in Kankakee, Illinois, spanning two stories with a complex layout. Ninety art glass windows throughout the structure create flowing visual connections between the interior and the surrounding outdoor space.
Built in 1900, this residence marked the beginning of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie architectural approach, which reshaped American home design. The structure served as an early test of design principles that would define Wright's career and influence architects across the country.
The residence demonstrates Prairie School philosophy through its cruciform layout and horizontal lines that merge with the surrounding landscape, creating distinct zones for different activities.
The house sits at 701 South Harrison Avenue and operates as a museum with guided tours arranged through the Wright in Kankakee organization. Plan your visit ahead of time since tours follow a set schedule rather than being available on demand.
Over its lifetime, the building shifted through multiple uses, from private residence to office complex to international restaurant before becoming a museum. Each transformation reveals how the structure's original design could accommodate different activities and purposes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
