Hills-DeCaro House
A Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece reborn, blending Tudor charm with exotic ornamentation after a 1922 fire. A must-see in Oak Park.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Best for exterior viewing
Hills-DeCaro House
Best Time
Best for exterior viewing
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece reborn, blending Tudor charm with exotic ornamentation after a 1922 fire. A must-see in Oak Park.
"Fascinating blend of Tudor Revival and Frank Lloyd Wright’s evolving style, rich in detail and history."
🚶 Self-Guided Tour Essential
The Hills-DeCaro House is best viewed as part of Oak Park's self-guided architectural street tour. :world_map:
📸 Exterior Appreciation
As a private residence, focus on admiring the unique exterior architecture and historical details. :camerawithflash:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Wright's Post-Fire Redesign
Exterior
Witness Frank Lloyd Wright's adaptive genius in the house's 1922 reconstruction, blending Tudor with his signature ornamentation.
Tudor Revival Meets Exotic Details
Exterior
Admire the striking fusion of traditional Tudor architecture with Sullivanesque, Mayan, and other exotic decorative elements.
Streetscape Architecture Tour
Oak Park Street
This house is a key stop on Oak Park's self-guided architectural tours, showcasing Wright's work in context.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Understand the House's Evolution
Access and Viewing
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶 Self-Guided Tour Essential
The Hills-DeCaro House is best viewed as part of Oak Park's self-guided architectural street tour. :world_map:
📸 Exterior Appreciation
As a private residence, focus on admiring the unique exterior architecture and historical details. :camerawithflash:
💡 Understand its History
Remember its story: rebuilt by Wright after a fire, showcasing his evolving style. :bulb:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶 Self-Guided Tour Essential
The Hills-DeCaro House is best viewed as part of Oak Park's self-guided architectural street tour. :world_map:
📸 Exterior Appreciation
As a private residence, focus on admiring the unique exterior architecture and historical details. :camerawithflash:
💡 Understand its History
Remember its story: rebuilt by Wright after a fire, showcasing his evolving style. :bulb:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Hills-DeCaro House for its fascinating architectural blend, a testament to Frank Lloyd Wright's adaptive genius after a fire. Its unique fusion of Tudor Revival with Sullivanesque and Mayan elements makes it a standout on Oak Park's architectural tours. While it's a private residence, its exterior is highly appreciated by architecture lovers.
"The Nathan G. Moore House is a fascinating blend of Tudor Revival and Frank Lloyd Wright’s evolving style. Rich in detail and history, it showcases Wright’s creative adaptability and bold design choices. A must-see for architecture lovers in Oak Park."
gibbons simone
"The Nathan G. Moore House also known as the Moore-Dugal Residence is a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. A 1922 fire gave Wright the opportunity to redesign the house. The structure was completely rebuilt above the first or lowest floor in a manner in keeping with Wright's other works of the late 1910s and early 1920s. While the new design stayed evocative of Tudor architecture, the house was heavily ornamented by details of Sullivanesque, Mayan, and other exotic origins. Wright’s second scheme remains largely intact today and the house continues to be a private residence despite a brief period as a tour home.cool house"
Kyle Johnson
"The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and studio tour is exemplary. Our tour guide was fabulous, and this house is part of the self-guided tour of the street adjacent to the home. I highly recommend it."
Bibi Marti
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Hills-DeCaro House is located in Oak Park, Illinois. It's easily accessible by car or public transportation. Many visitors arrive via the Green Line 'L' train to Oak Park. Parking can be found on surrounding streets, but be mindful of local restrictions.
While the house itself is a private residence and not typically open for interior tours, it is a significant stop on Oak Park's self-guided architectural street tours.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No tickets are required to view the exterior of the Hills-DeCaro House, as it is a private residence. It's part of the free self-guided architectural walking tours of Oak Park.
As a private residence, there are no official visiting hours. The best time to view the exterior is during daylight hours when you can safely walk the streets and appreciate the architecture.
📸 📸 Photography
The best photo opportunities are from the street, allowing you to capture the full facade and its unique architectural details. Consider different angles to showcase the blend of styles.
No, interior photography is not permitted as the Hills-DeCaro House is a private residence. Focus your camera on the exterior's rich ornamentation and design.
🎫 🏛️ Architecture & History
The Hills-DeCaro House, originally the Nathan G. Moore House, was redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright after a 1922 fire. It showcases his evolving style, blending Tudor Revival with Sullivanesque, Mayan, and other exotic influences.
The house is a fascinating mix. It retains its Tudor Revival roots but is heavily ornamented with elements inspired by Sullivanesque, Mayan, and other exotic architectural traditions, reflecting Wright's experimental phase.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider making it part of a larger Oak Park exploration that might include parks or other more child-centric activities. The self-guided street tour format means you can easily adjust the pace to suit younger attention spans. Pack some snacks and water, and turn it into a fun architectural scavenger hunt for unique shapes and decorations on the houses.
🏛️ Architecture Enthusiasts
As part of Oak Park's extensive collection of Wright-designed buildings, it's best viewed in conjunction with other sites like the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. Utilize self-guided or guided architectural tours to gain deeper insights into the house's history and design significance. Appreciating the exterior details and understanding its context within Wright's oeuvre will be highly rewarding.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Architectural Transformation
The exterior of the house is a testament to this transformation. While the foundational Tudor elements remain, they are dramatically overlaid with intricate details. You'll notice influences from the Sullivanesque style, characterized by its robust, often geometric ornamentation, alongside motifs reminiscent of Mayan art and other 'exotic' sources that fascinated architects of the era. This layering of styles creates a visually rich and complex facade, demonstrating Wright's willingness to experiment and push stylistic boundaries.
Although the house remains a private residence, its exterior is a significant landmark for architecture enthusiasts visiting Oak Park. It serves as a tangible example of how Wright could reinterpret and revitalize existing structures, creating something entirely new and deeply personal. The house stands as a key piece in understanding the trajectory of his prolific career and his impact on American architecture.
Experiencing Oak Park's Architectural Heritage
Walking tours are highly recommended for a comprehensive experience. These tours often guide you past numerous Wright-designed homes and other architectural gems from various periods and styles. The Hills-DeCaro House is typically noted as a key building on these routes, often described as being a few blocks from the main studio area.
For those interested in a deeper dive, guided tours are also available through local historical societies or architectural foundations. These tours often provide expert commentary on the history, design, and significance of each building, including the unique story of the Hills-DeCaro House's reconstruction.
Social
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