FAIR OAKS AVE

ELMWOOD AVE
GREENFIELD ST
GREENFIELD ST

AVE
VEY
LENOX ST

HAR
BERKSHIRE ST BERKSHIRE ST

RIDGELAND AVE
COLUMBIAN AVE
MARION ST

BELLEFORTE AVE

HARVEY AVE
DIVISION ST

KENILWORTH AVE

CUYLER AVE
FOREST AVE

EUCLID AVE

LINDEN AVE
HARLEM AVE

THOMAS ST
THOMAS ST

EAST AVE
WOODBINE AVE

GROVE AVE

RIDGELAND AVE
AUGUSTA ST

FAIR OAKS AVE

MILLER AVE
BELLEFORTE AVE

ELMWOOD AVE
EUCLID AVE
FOREST AVE

SCHNEIDER AVE
OAK PARK AVE

IOWA ST
MARION ST

PAULINA ST

CHICAGO AVE

CUYLER AVE
LINDEN AVE
MAPLE AVE

SUPERIOR ST
SUPERIOR ST
MARION ST

KENILWORTH AVE
FOREST AVE

ERIE ST
HARLEM CT

MARION CT

ERIE ST
ONTARIO CT ERIE ST

ONTARIO ST

ONTARIO ST ONTARIO ST
HOLLEY CT

PRAIRIE WAY
SCOVILLE AVE

LAKE ST
FOREST AVE

WESTGATE ST
HUNTER CT
KENILWORTH AVE

NORTH BLVD
EAST AVE

NORTH BLVD
SOUTH BLVD
CLINTON AVE

GROVE AVE

ELMWOOD AVE
WESLEY AVE

CUYLER AVE
MAPLE AVE

MARION ST

HOME AVE

PLEASANT ST

PLEASANT ST

Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture

Local Historic District Boundary Expansion
1:10,000
Existing Local Historic District
March 7, 2011 0 250 500
Feet Proposed Expansion Areas
GIS0120090707A02.pdf
 Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie
School of Architecture
Proposed Expansion of the Local Historic
District Boundaries
The boundaries of the Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of
Architecture National Register Historic District were officially
expanded following final approval by the National Park Service
on May 22, 2009. This project, which was sponsored by the Oak
Park Historic Preservation Commission, took four years to complete. The Commission now would like to consider
expanding the local historic district boundaries to match those of the National Register district.

Project History
Beginning in November 2005 the Historic Preservation Commission supervised an architectural survey of the
historic district, including proposed expansion areas on the east, west and south. The survey was started by
volunteers, and completed by Thomason & Associates. The boundary expansion was officially listed in the National
Register of Historic Places on May 22, 2009.

Impact on Property Owners

The National Register is the nation’s official list of places recognized for their historical or architectural significance
and considered worthy of preservation. The National Register is an honorary listing, and does not prevent property
owners from making changes (including demolition), or force owners to make improvements to their property.
Properties located within a locally designated historic district are required to work with Planning staff and submit
their proposed exterior projects visible from the street to the Historic Preservation Commission for review. Typically
less than 15% of all permits are reviewed by the Commission, with the majority getting approval from Commission
staff. Projects will be asked to comply with the Preservation Commission’s Architectural Review Guidelines, which
are available at www.oak-park.us/public/pdfs/Preservation%20Guidelines.pdf.

Benefits
Adding these areas to the local historic district will help maintain and protect the unique character of the Frank
Lloyd Wright Prairie School of Architecture Historic District over the long term. The district’s unique architecture
and sense of place makes it a wonderful place to live. The area was nationally recognized in 2010 as one
America’s 10 Great Neighborhoods by the American Planning Association. To help support rehabilitation projects
in the district, contributing structures may be eligible for tax incentives, including:
The Illinois Property Tax Assessment Freeze program for single-family residential (including condos) and owner-
occupied multi-family buildings of up to six units,
The 20% federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit for commercial and larger multi-family properties,
The Cook County Class L designation (property tax reduction) for commercial and multi-family properties; and
The Façade Easement donation for all of these property types

We have provided the following information about the proposed expansion of the district boundaries:
A map showing the existing local historic district (in blue) and the proposed expanded local historic district (in
red) is on the reverse side of this sheet.
An Information sheet with Frequently Asked Questions about the proposed district expansion
Link for the Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program: www.illinoishistory.gov/PS/taxfreeze.htm
Link for the Cook County Class L designation: www.cookcountyassessor.com/forms
Link for the Historic Preservation Tax Credit: www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/tax/index.htm
Link for the Preservation Easement: www.landmarks.org/easement_overview.htm

Questions & Additional Informaiton

For more information, call 708.358.5417 or e-mail planning@oak-park.us.
 Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie
School of Architecture
Proposed Expansion of the Local Historic District Boundaries
Frequently Asked Questions
The Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission is
considering an expansion of the Frank Lloyd Wright-
Prairie School of Architecture Historic District to
better identify and protect the buildings that give
this district its special character. The boundaries
of the National Register Historic District were
expanded in 2009, but the local district boundaries
were not. Expanding the local boundaries will allow
the Village to manage the change occurring in the
neighborhood to ensure as much of the original
character as possible remains intact. Changes that
occur to one property can impact the property next
door, the block or the entire neighborhood. Local
historic district designation provides the Village with
the tools to protect its architectural character.
The following are some of the questions most
frequently asked about the proposed expansion of
the local historic district.
Q: How did the Village create the Frank Lloyd
Wright Historic District?
A: The Historic District was first designated by the
Village in 1972 with the current boundaries. Shortly
thereafter the Landmarks Commission was created
to implement the preservation ordinance (now
called the Historic Preservation Commission). The
Historic District was listed on the National Register
of Historic Places in 1973, and its boundaries
expanded in 2009. The boundaries of the Local
Historic District are now different from and smaller
than those of the National Register district. The
Village is exploring the option of expanding the local
historic district boundaries to match the National
Register historic district boundaries.
Q: What is the National Register of Historic
Places?
A: The National Register is the nation’s official list of
places recognized for their historical or architectural
significance and considered worthy of preservation.
The National Register does not prevent property
owners from making changes (including demolition)
or require owners to make improvements to their
property. Nor does it limit the use of a building.
Q: What is a Historic District?
A: A historic district is an area with definable
boundaries that possesses a significant
concentration of properties united by past events
or aesthetically by plan or physical development.
A district may include properties that may not be
individually significant, but contribute to the overall
architectural character of the historic district.
Q: What areas are proposed for inclusion within
the expanded Historic District boundaries?
A: The proposed expanded Historic District
comprises all or parts of 97 blocks (approximately
1,934 properties) and is bounded on the north by
Division Street, on the west by Harlem Avenue, on
the south by Ontario and Lake Streets and on the
east by N. Ridgeland Avenue
Q: Why do we need both forms of district
designation?
A: National Register designation brings recognition,
but it offers no protection for properties. Inclusion in
a local historic district helps ensure that surrounding
properties will not be demolished and replaced
with something that is much larger and out of
scale with the rest of the block, or their exteriors
are not radically modified in ways that destroy the
neighborhood’s traditional appearance. It helps the
Village manage change and maintain those things
that make the Wright district such an interesting,
attractive, and desirable place to live and work.
Q: Are there any special requirements for
properties in a Local District?
A: Yes. The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
understands the need for changes that will keep
a building functional for families and business
owners, but we also want to protect and preserve
the character of the building and the neighborhood
in which it’s located. Therefore, any significant
alterations to the exterior of a building require a
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the HPC.
Significant alterations include work that requires
a building permit, including additions and full or
partial demolition. When considering changes to
the exterior of the property, the owner is asked to
follow the Village’s Architectural Review Guidelines,
(which are available for downloading at www.oak-
park.us/public/pdfs/Preservation%20Guidelines.
pdf) and work closely with the Planning staff and the
Architectural Review Committee.
Q: So the Commission gets to tell me what I can
and can’t do with my building?
A: No. The Village will be assisting property owners
and helping them achieve what they want with
their buildings, while also fulfilling the community’s
long-standing commitment to historic preservation
in ways the benefit ALL property owners in Oak
Park. The HPC’s role is less about regulating what a
property owner can do, and more about helping that
owner meet their needs and goals for the building
within a preservation context. The COA review
process allows the HPC, acting on the Village’s
behalf, to ensure that alterations are sensitive
to the features and elements of the building that
qualified it for historic designation in the first place.
For instance, replacing the distinctive flat roof of
a Prairie-style home with a tall gable would affect
the overall design and scale of the house, making
it into something very different than the architect
intended. And if your project does not meet the
Guidelines and is not approved, you always have
the option of appealing the decision to the Village
Board.
Q: You say the HPC is there to work with me on my
project, but be honest…how difficult is it to get a
project reviewed and approved?
A: Much, much easier than most people seem to
think. A review of the 9,255 permits requested
since 2001 shows that the vast majority (86%) were
approved with a simple staff review. They never had
to go before the Architectural Review Committee
or the Historic Preservation Commission for a full
review. Only 6% of all projects were required to do
the full COA process. For those property owners
that are required to participate in a review process,
the staff, commission architects, and preservation
experts will work with those property owners to
resolve any issues. This means the Village supplies
unlimited professional consultation as a free service
to property owners in the historic districts. Many
property owners have said that their final project is
improved as a result of those consultations and the
review process.
Q:Who are the people on the Preservation
Commission who get to make these decisions?
A: Commission members can be architects,
historians, property developers, realtors, lawyers,
and people whose professional and community
backgrounds lend them to historic preservation.
Most importantly, they are your neighbors and they
care deeply about the future of the Village. Prior to
their appointment on the HPC, they are screened
and interviewed by Village staff, the Citizen
Involvement Commission, and the Preservation
Commission Chair to ensure that their background,
skills, and interests are compatible with the larger
goals of the HPC.
Q:Are there any financial benefits of being in a
Local Historic District?
A: Absolutely. Properties that are Contributing
Resources in the historic district and are proposing
rehab are eligible for tax incentives for rehabilitation.
• The Illinois Property Tax Assessment Freeze
can freeze the property taxes of single-family
residential properties for up to 12 years at their
pre-rehab assessed value, which can result
in a significant savings in property taxes. In
fact, numerous residential properties in the
district have already made use of this incentive.
Information on the Tax Assessment Freeze can be
found at www.illinoishistory.gov/PS/taxfreeze.
htm.
• Multi-family and commercial properties can use
the 20% Federal Rehab Tax Credit, which supplies
a credit on your taxes equivalent to 20% of the
qualified rehab expenses. For example, if you
spend $150,000 on an interior or exterior rehab,
you could be eligible for a $30,000 credit on your
federal income taxes. The credit does not need to
be taken in a single year and can be spread over
several years of tax liability. Information on the
Federal Rehab Tax Credits and how to use them
 can be found at http://ntcicfunds.com/tax-
credit-basics/federal-tax-credit-basics/
• Multi-family and commercial properties can
take advantage of the Cook County Class L
designation which reduces your property taxes
following a significant rehabilitation. Properties
with the Class L designation will be assessed at
10% of the fair market value for the first 10 years,
15% for year 11 and 20% for year 12.
• All properties that are Contributing Resources
are eligible for a façade easement donation
through Landmarks Illinois, where you receive
a one-time charitable donation on your federal
income taxes by donating the value of an exterior
or interior easement. More information on
easements can be found at www.landmarks.
org/easement_overview.htm.
Q: Speaking of taxes, will landmark designation
affect my property taxes?
A: Numerous studies have been conducted in
communities around the country on whether
historic district designation has an impact (negative
or positive) on property values. These studies
consistently show that historic designation not
only increases property values, but also helps
neighborhoods hold their property values better over
time, even during the recent economic downturn.
In addition, Historic Preservation Commission
reviews and oversight increase property values even
more by preserving the features and character that
make these neighborhoods so desirable. Although
economic and development pressures, shifting
population trends, proportion of rental-to owner-
occupied properties, crime, general appearance
and overall perception all affect property values,
most local historic districts have experienced
improvement in the appearance of the area and an
increase in home-ownership.
Q: What is the process for expanding the local
historic district boundaries?
A: The Historic Preservation Commission will host
public meetings for the residents of the district to
learn more about the designation and the process.
Any expansion of the local district would require
a public hearing before the Historic Preservation
Commission and approval by the Village Board.
The public and property owners in the proposed
expansion area would have an opportunity to
comment at the public hearings.
Q: What if I have other questions that aren’t
addressed by these FAQs?
A: You are encouraged to attend the public meetings
on the proposed district expansion. The first meeting
is scheduled for March 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm in
the Oak Park Public Library. You also can contact
Douglas Kaarre, Commission staff at kaarre@
oak-park.us or 708.358.5417 with questions or
requests for additional information.
 Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historic District

Presentation & Meeting

on the Expansion of the Local
Historic District Boundaries
7 - 8:30 p.m., Monday, March 21
Oak Park Public Library – Veteran’s Room
834 Lake St.

Join the Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission for a discussion on the
proposed expansion of the Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture local
historic district.

The boundaries of the Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historic

District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were expanded in May
of 2009 after nearly four years of additional survey work and public meetings.
The Historic Preservation Commission now would like to consider expanding the
local historic district boundaries to match those of the National Register District.

Property owners in the proposed expansion areas are encouraged to attend to

learn more about the process and to ask questions.

For more information, call 708.358.5417

or e-mail planning@oak-park.us.
 City of Chicago

7100 7000 6900 6800 6700 6600 6500 6400 6300 6200 6100 6000
1000

1000
1100

Historic

800
900

900

800

500
700

500

400

400

400
600

600

300

100
700

200

100
MARION ST

NORTH AVE

FOREST AVE
Landmarks Map
BELLEFORTE AVE

1200 1200

RIDGELAND AVE

HUMPHREY AVE
LOMBARD AVE
ROSSELL AVE

HARVEY AVE

TAYLOR AVE
Village of Oak Park, IL

FAIR OAKS AVE

EDMER AVE

HAYES AVE
LEMOYNE PKWY

36

ELMWOOD AVE
1100 1100
Historic Districts

GROVE AVE
GREENFIELD ST Frank Lloyd Wright Historic Dist.
WOODBINE AVE

GREENFIELD ST
Gunderson Historic Dist.
25

Y AVE
Ridgeland - Oak Park Historic Dist.

EUCLID AVE
1000 LENOX ST

E
1000

HARV
Landmarks
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
Village of River Forest

1
BERKSHIRE ST
MARION ST

BERKSHIRE ST 428 Forest/951 Chicago

22 John Farson House (Pleasant Home)

MAPLETON AVE
LINDEN AVE
2
217 Home Avenue
900 900
Pilgrim Congregational Church
3
KENILWORTH AVE

HUMPHREY AVE
BELLEFORTE AVE

460 Lake Street

TAYLOR AVE
HAYES AVE
FOREST AVE

HARVEY AVE
Unity Temple
4
DIVISION ST 875 Lake Street

FAIR OAKS AVE

Ernest Hemingway Birthplace
COLUMBIAN AVE
5

CUYLER AVE
800 800 339 N. Oak Park Avenue
Plaza Hotel

EAST AVE
6
123 S. Marion Street

THOMAS ST THOMAS ST Harry S. Adams House

7
THOMAS ST 710 Augusta Street
Rollin Furbeck House
700 8
700 515 Fair Oaks Avenue
Hills-DeCaro House
WOODBINE AVE

9
7 313 Forest Avenue
AUGUSTA ST Thomas Gale House
41 10
1027 Chicago Avenue
38
HARLEM AVE

MILLER AVE George Furbeck House

600 600 11

HUMPHREY AVE
223 N. Euclid Avenue
BELLEFORTE AVE

Oak Park-River Forest Day Nursery

FOREST AVE

12
ELMWOOD AVE

1139 Randolph Street

26 IOWA ST
Charles Roberts House
13
EUCLID AVE

321 N. Euclid Avenue

500 PAULINA ST 500 Roberts Building
14
8 300-304 N. Grove Avenue
MARION ST

30 15
Odd Fellows Hall
35 CHICAGO AVE 812-818 Harrison Street

LOMBARD AVE
1 43 Albert & Kittie Ernst House
KENILWORTH AVE

400 16
10 400 1023 Wenonah Avenue
Oak Park Conservatory
HARVEY AVE

TAYLOR AVE
SUPERIOR ST 17
615 Garfield Street
SUPERIOR ST
300 5 Park Grove/Park View Manor
LINDEN AVE

9 28 13
MARION ST

18
173-181 N. Grove Avenue
300
Bishop Quarter School Addition
44
CUYLER AVE

ERIE ST ELIZABETH CT 19
605 Lake Street
MARION CT
HARLEM CT

200 ONTARIO CT ERIE ST 14 39

ERIE ST ERIE CT C.A. Sharpe House (Dole/Cheney Mansion)
42 20

City of Chicago
11 200
220 N. Euclid Avenue

ONTARIO ST 20 21
Poley Building
408-410 S. Austin Blvd.
OAK PARK AVE

ONTARIO ST
FOREST AVE

ONTARIO ST
40 37
Harold C. Lewis House
100 HOLLEY CT 18 22
950 Columbian Avenue

PRAIRIE WAY Andreas Brisch House

23
701 S. East Avenue
George and James Tough House
24
4 3 100 1045 Wesley Avenue
MARION ST

FOREST AVE

100 Margaret Morse House

WESTGATE ST
HUNTER CT 19 LAKE ST
25
1036 Fair Oaks Avenue
34 26
Albert Schneider House
NORTH BLVD NORTH BLVD NORTH BLVD 553 N. Marion Street

33 SOUTH BLVD 27
Dorothy Manor Apartments
HARVEY AVE

424-426 S. Austin Blvd.

CUYLER AVE

100
100 First United Methodist Church
6 28
324 N. Oak Park Avenue
CLINTON AVE

TAYLOR AVE
SCOVILLE AVE

HUMPHREY AVE

Maze Branch Library

MAPLE AVE

2 PLEASANT ST
29
845 Gunderson Avenue
PLEASANT ST
Howard W. Jenkins House
ELMWOOD AVE

30
200 500 Linden Avenue
PLEASANT PL 200
Dr. Harry Bernhardt Cottage
31
705 S. East Avenue
RANDOLPH ST
WESLEY AVE
GROVE AVE

Charles W. Eils House

RANDOLPH ST 32
625 S. Oak Park Avenue
KENILWORTH AVE

12 300 Boulevard Arcade Building

33
1033 South Boulevard
300
Cicero Fire House No. 2
HARVEY AVE

34
129 Lake Street
HUMPHREY AVE
WISCONSIN AVE

CHESTNUT LN

WASHINGTON BLVD Robert Parker House

35
PENNSYLVANIA WAY

TAYLOR AVE

1019 Chicago Avenue

400 400 Gustaf and Fride Benson House

36
1139 Woodbine Avenue
CUYLER AVE

Linden Apartments
37
175-181 Linden Avenue
HOME AVE

LOMBARD AVE

MADISON ST Charles Schwerin House

38
639 Fair Oaks Avenue
500 Edward and Caroline McCready House
500 39
231 N. Euclid Avenue
HUMPHREY AVE

MONROE ST MONROE ST
CUYLER AVE

Russell Wallace House

40
178 N. Euclid Avenue
ADAMS ST
600 Charles S. Castle House
ELMWOOD AVE

41
647 Linden Avenue
GROVE AVE
WENONAH AVE

KENILWORTH AVE

600
GUNDERSON AVE
CARPENTER AVE

ADAMS ST 32 42
Joseph D. Everett House
228 Forest Avenue
WISCONSIN AVE

TAYLOR AVE
WESLEY AVE
EUCLID AVE

HARVEY AVE
SCOVILLE AVE

700 Chester Flitcraft House

23
HIGHLAND AVE

43
JACKSON BLVD 845 Chicago Avenue
LYMAN AVE

Paul Blatchford House No. 1

CLARENCE AVE

JACKSON BLVD 31 700

44
250 Forest Avenue
CLINTON AVE

800
Village of Forest Park

VAN BUREN ST
VAN BUREN ST
CUYLER AVE

21
800
27
15
29 HARRISON ST
Transportation
RIDGELAND AVE

I_290 EXPY
GROVE AVE
WENONAH AVE

900 FLOURNOY ST CTA-Stations

17 GARFIELD
ST FLOURNOY ST 900
Blue Line
WESLEY AVE

LEXINGTON ST Green Line

I-290
1000
16 1000
P-R Public ROW
MAPLE AVE

WISCONSIN AVE

CLINTON AVE

24
HOME AVE

EUCLID AVE

CLARENCE AVE

ELMWOOD AVE

HARVARD ST
Miles
HIGHLAND AVE
EAST AVE

0 0.045 0.09 0.18

CUYLER AVE

HARVEY AVE

HUMPHREY AVE
TAYLOR AVE

AUSTIN BLVD
LYMAN AVE

1100 1 inch equals 0.21 miles

1100
GUNDERSON AVE

Community Planning & Development

SCOVILLE AVE
KENILWORTH AVE

FILLMORE ST Corrected to June 21, 2010

Population as of 2000 Census: 52,524
Estimated Population as of 2005 from the U.S. Census: 50,757
1150 1150
Filename: Historic 20100525c.mxd
DISCLAIMER: This drawing is neither a legally recorded map nor
ROOSEVELT RD a survey, and is not intended to be used as such. This drawing
is a compilation of records, information and data located in various
7100 7000 6900 6800 6700 6600 6500 6400 6300 6200 6100 6000 village, county and state offices, and other sources, affecting the
land area displayed and is to be used for reference purposes only.
City of Berwyn Town of Cicero The Village of Oak Park shall not be responsible for any
inaccuracies herein contained. If discrepancies are found,
please contact the Oak Park Community Planning and
Development Department.