The property at 419 Randolph St. is interesting because the facade in the front of the property resembles a temple that was designed by Louis H. Sullivan, who was the mentor of Frank Lloyd Wright and a practitioner in a movement of architectural design called the Chicago School. The Chicago school design was fueled by realized capabilities of structural steel as well as Chicago having just become a blank canvas due to the Great Chicago Fire.

In researching the property at 419 Randolph, I found surprisingly little information as it relates to facts such as when the house was built as well as who the original owner was. This may be due in part to buildings constructed prior to the incorporation of Oak Park in 1902 are not listed in the Building and Property Standards department at Oak Park Village Hall. 

I did find a thick folder at the Oak Park and River Forest Museum at 129 Lake St. about the architect who designed the property. His name was Eban E. Roberts. I also found a thesis done by Frances H. Steiner that was published in 1970, wherein I discovered that the architect was born in Boston in the year 1866 to a wood carver from whom he learned mechanical and freehand drawing.

Roberts received his architectural education at Tilton Seminary in New Hampshire prior to being employed as job superintendent by S.S. Beman during the construction of the pullman buildings in Chicago. In 1893, Roberts left the office of Beman and moved to Oak Park, where he started his architectural firm. It became the largest in Oak Park by the year 1912, after which he moved his firm to Chicago.

What I like about this property is that it has ornamentation similar to that done by Sullivan, as well as an element of reclusiveness similar to work done by Wright – which is like a silent  invitation to interact  with the piece and enjoy it.  

I’m glad that l have accepted this  invitation and have looked past the facade to discover more about this property and the architect who designed it.