Century of Progress Architectural District

The district consists of five residential buildings from 1935 that were originally displayed at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. The homes use unconventional building materials and techniques that were advanced for their time, such as steel frames and large glass walls.

A developer named Robert Bartlett purchased the exhibition houses and transported them by barge across Lake Michigan in 1935 to Indiana. His goal was to create a new residential area around these experimental structures and market the location as a modern place to live.

The homes showcase how people in the 1930s imagined the future through bold materials and unexpected shapes. Visitors can see how architects of that time wanted to experiment and reinvent residential living.

Most homes are privately owned and can be viewed from the outside, with some allowing interior visits by arrangement. The location is easily accessible by car and offers a self-guided tour through the district.

Most of the homes were built at full scale for the World's Fair and were never intended to be permanent structures. That they were transported across a lake and still stand over 90 years later makes them a remarkable feat in architectural history.

Location: Beverly Shores

GPS coordinates: 41.68417,-87.00167

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:05