Willits House

Highland Park, United States

Exterior only

Visible from the street; the inside is private.

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The Ward W. Willits House, a single-family residence at 1445 Sheridan Road in Highland Park, Illinois, stands as one of the seminal works of the Prairie School movement. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1901, the house exemplifies the architect's revolutionary approach to domestic design through its cruciform plan, with four wings radiating from a central fireplace. The symmetrical street facade is enriched with stained-glass windows and wooden screens that subtly articulate interior spaces. Wright's commitment to total design is evident in his creation of the house's furnishings as well, making the Willits House a comprehensive expression of Prairie School ideals. Recognized as a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, it remains a foundational example of early twentieth-century American residential architecture.