Blog

We stayed in Clear Lake for a week – the weather was beautiful. The town does a great job with their image, with activities and attractions.  We were within a stone’s throw of the lake- scenic and relaxing. But the highlight for me was touring two of Frank Lloyd Wrights buildings.

One is the newly renovated Park Hotel. The other was the Stockman House. It is one of FLW’s $5,000 fireproof houses. It was deigned after the Chicago fires with the common man in mind. The Stockman House was built by a Dr., but still a modest home.  Some of the things I learned from our tourguide:

• Frank Lloyd Wright wanted to create a style of home that was uniquely American.  He didn’t want to build Tudor or Victorian or 4-Square.
• FLW wanted the homes to be in harmony with the landscape.
• Amazing attention to detail and balance. Even when they design is asymetrical, it is perfectly balanced. A lot of horizontal lines. Large overhangs incorporated drainage. Wide “baseboard” detail grounded the building with the landscape.
• He traveled extensively, often to Japan. He loved Japanese art and thought it was best  complemented his buildings.
• He was the father of 6 kids, but ran off to Japan with another man’s wife.
• Ribbon windows are a trademark, walls would fit precisely between the windows to maintain balance.
• Wright designed furniture unique to his homes and expected that their location and function would stay when he had left.

There is a lot of unique and impressive homes within blocks of the Stockman house in Mason City. It is also the home of Meredith Wilson – the author of Music Man.