Harry and Louisa Goodrich House
Located at 534 N. East Avenue in Oak Park, the Goodrich House is a restored, privately owned house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright during the early phase of his architectural practice. With this website, the current owners share the rich history of the house and its original owners, as well many lessons learned about living in and maintaining a 100+ year old residence.
The Goodrich House is only open to the public during special tours such as Wright Plus. If you visit Oak Park and view or photograph the house, please stay on the public way and be respectful of the family’s privacy.
Goodrich House, May 2025
About the Project
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Goodrich House in 1896, only three years after he launched his independent architectural practice. Experimenting with ideas that would influence his emerging Prairie style, Wright introduced an over-arching decorative theme. For the Goodrich House he used the diamond and the lozenge, which can be seen in the decorative window muntins and second story pilasters.
Harry Clinton Goodrich and his wife Louisa Fowler Goodrich were in their sixties when Frank Lloyd Wright designed a home for them in Oak Park. Harry Goodrich was an eccentric inventor who had made and lost fortunes by this time. After Louisa died in 1901, Harry married a widow, Louise DeForest. The couple lived in the home until 1908, when they were forced to sell due to financial straits.
Maintaining historic houses (especially those designed by Wright) often requires a great deal of investment, ingenuity, and planning. For 25 years, the owners of the Goodrich House, have restored the home in a way that maintains the original design but allows a modern family to live comfortably. Other historic house owners may benefit from the many lessons they have learned as stewards of the Goodrich House.