George Barton House facts for kids
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Barton House
Darwin D. Martin House Complex |
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| Location | 118 Summit Avenue, Buffalo, NY |
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| Built | 1903 - 1904 |
| Architect | Frank Lloyd Wright |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000160 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1986 |
| Designated NHL | February 24, 1986 |
The George F. Barton House is a special home in Buffalo, New York. It was designed by a famous architect named Frank Lloyd Wright. This house was built between 1903 and 1904. It's part of a bigger group of buildings called the Darwin D. Martin House Complex. Many people think this complex is one of Wright's most important designs from his "Prairie School" style.
Contents
The Story of the Barton House
Who Commissioned This Unique Home?
The entire group of buildings, known as the Martin Complex, was requested by Darwin D. Martin. He was a successful businessman who worked at the Larkin Soap Company. In 1902, Mr. Martin bought the land for his new project.
He planned to build two houses on this land. One house was for himself and his family. The other house was for his sister, Delta Martin Barton, and her husband, George F. Barton.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Connection to the Larkin Company
Darwin Martin and George Barton were both colleagues at the Larkin Company. Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect, designed several buildings for people connected to this company. He also designed homes for other Larkin employees.
These included the William R. Heath House and the Walter V. Davidson House. Wright even designed the Larkin Company's main administration building.
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First Building in the Complex
The Barton House was the very first building to start construction in the Martin Complex. It was also the first one to be finished. This made it the first building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright to be completed in Buffalo.
The Barton House is located on the northeast corner of the larger complex.
Inside the Barton House: A Unique Design
The basic layout of the Barton House is shaped like a cross. This design is called a "cruciform" plan. The main living areas are in the center, two-story part of the house.
Here, the reception, living, and dining areas flow openly into each other. The two main bedrooms are on the second floor. They are at opposite ends of a narrow hallway. The kitchen is at the north end, behind the main staircase. An open porch is located to the south.
Similar Designs by Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright sometimes used similar plans for different houses. For example, his K. C. DeRhodes House in South Bend, Indiana, has a floor plan almost exactly like the Barton House. The main difference is how it faces the front porch.
The F.B. Henderson House in Elmhurst, Illinois, also has a similar design.
Visiting the Barton House Today
The Martin House Restoration Corporation helps take care of the Barton House and the rest of the complex. They offer guided public tours for visitors. They also have educational programs for volunteers and the general public.
See also
- List of Frank Lloyd Wright works
- Darwin D. Martin House Complex
