Rock Crest–Rock Glen Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rock Crest–Rock Glen Historic District
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Arthur L. Rule House (1914)
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off US 18 in Mason City, Iowa |
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| Area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000885 |
| Added to NRHP | December 28, 1979 |
The Rock Crest–Rock Glen Historic District is a special neighborhood in Mason City, Iowa. It's famous for having many unique houses designed in a style called Prairie School. This district is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a valuable part of American history and architecture.
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What Makes This Neighborhood Special?
This historic district was created between 1902 and 1908. A local developer named Joshua Melson bought land along Willow Creek. He planned to build a community of beautiful homes.
The goal was to build 16 houses, but only about half were actually built. Even so, it's still the largest group of Prairie School houses in the entire country!
What is Prairie School Architecture?
Prairie School architecture is a style of building design. It became popular in the early 1900s. These homes often have low, flat roofs and wide, open floor plans. They are designed to blend in with the flat landscapes of the American Midwest.
The houses in Rock Crest–Rock Glen are great examples of this style. They show how architects tried to connect buildings with nature.
Who Designed These Homes?
Many talented architects helped design the homes in this district.
- Walter Burley Griffin created the first overall plan for the neighborhood.
- Marion Mahony Griffin, Walter's wife, was also an architect and contributed her skills.
- Barry Byrne took over the project after Walter Griffin.
- Einar Broaten also designed some of the houses.
Even famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright had a design for this area. However, his house was never built here. Instead, his plans were used to build the Isabel Roberts House in Illinois.
The Old Mill and New Ideas
Before the houses were built, there was an old mill on the property. It was built in 1870 and was the second mill in Mason City.
When the neighborhood plans were made, the mill was taken apart. Its stone foundations were kept. There were ideas to use them for a hydroelectric power station for the new homes. This station was never built. Other ideas included using the stones for a bridge or a small summer house. These plans also never happened.
