Frank Lloyd Wright

Wright Studies

Harvey P. & Eliza Sutton Residence, McCook, Nebraska (1905 - S.106)

Exterior Photographs By Douglas M. Steiner, January 2014

After closing his practice in 1977, Dr. Donaldson was unable to find a buyer. Not wanting to see the home moved or demolished, Don and Mary Poore purchased the home in 1978. They began an extensive remodel, restoring the many of the changes back to its original state. They moved into the home in 1979 and lived there for 10 years.
       John and Staci Cannon purchased the home from the Poores in 1988 and lived in the home until 1992.
       When the home became available, Jan and Van Korell purchased the home with the intent to restore the home to its original 1908 condition. That began the process which would last until 2001. Today, thanks to the Korell's extensive effort, we are able to once again, glimpse the Sutton home as Wright's intended in 1908.
       Saturday, January 11 was an unseasonably warm 55 degrees. The average high for January 11 is normally 39 degrees, the low is 18 degrees. Earlier in the day, I-80 was down to 10 mph due to snow and ice on the roadway. We had passed a spot where two semis had been blown off the road and were neatly laying on their sides.
       Not wanting to be too intrusive I knocked on the door and asked if I could photograph the outside of the home. John was very welcoming and said to let him know if I had any questions. The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow on the south and west sides of the home. After photographing the outside, and having a few questions, I knocked on the door. Jan answered this time, and invited me in to see the first floor.
       Like many of Wright's homes, the front door is hidden in plain sight. The art glass door and windows were designed by Wright.

Up five stairs to the right, you find yourself in the reception room. Warm colors fill your senses, rich wood tones, art glass, horizontal and vertical trim, bands of art glass windows, a row of upper spindles block the view of the stairs leading to the upper level. The Korells painstakingly restored every detail. The reception room is open all the way to the dining room, the full length of the home.
       The massive centrally located fireplace dominates the living room. A ledge above the fireplace stays in line with the upper horizontal trim that borders the top of the windows and double doors that lead out to the veranda. Decorative items sit atop the ledge above the fireplace. The ceiling lights are original art glass fixtures. Period furniture finishes the room.
       Offered separately during the 1977 sale of the house, the original dining room sideboard survived and sets against the North wall. A period dining room table and reproduction Robie house chairs set in the center of the dining room.
       There are many classic Wright details in this Prairie styled home. The basic materials are wood and stucco. Strong horizontal lines, broad overhanging eaves, horizontal rows of art glass windows and doors, the prominent centrally located fireplace and chimney, open first floor plan, cantilevered roof, anchoring the home by placing it on an enlarged concrete base. For a more detailed history of the home see "The Sutton House", Morgan, Altberg, 2008.
       After viewing the Sutton residence, we headed back to North Platte to meet up with my son-in-law and grandson. The Seahawks beat the Saints, 23 to 15, moving them closer to the Super Bowl.
       Text by Douglas M. Steiner, Copyright January 2014

1: Viewed from the Southeast. There are many classic Wright details in this Prairie styled home. The basic materials are wood and stucco. Strong horizontal lines, broad overhanging eaves, horizontal rows of art glass windows and doors, the prominent centrally located fireplace and chimney, open first floor plan, built-in planters, cantilevered roof, anchoring the home by placing it on an enlarged concrete base. 2014.03.0114 (1)

"Res. H. P. Sutton McCook Neb. Pub. By McConnell." Real photo postcard circa 1908. Viewed from the Southeast. Lower level: the dining room is on the left, living room and veranda in the center, reception room on the right. Cantilevered roof extends past the veranda. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Courtesy of the Oak Park Public Library.

2: Viewed from the Southeast. Lower level: the dining room is on the left, living room and veranda in the center, reception room on the right. Cantilevered roof extends past the veranda. Like many of Wright's homes, the front door is hidden in plain sight. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 1 is on the far left. Bedroom 2 and 3 divide the center, bedroom 4 is on the right. Bedroom 5 is on the North side above the kitchen.
2014.03.0114 (2)

3: Detail of the East end of the home. Like many of Wright's homes, the front door is hidden in plain sight. Wright adds intrigue to the entrance. Instead of entering straight into the home, upon entering, up five stairs to the right, you find yourself in the reception room. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 4 is on the right. 2014.03.0114 (3)

4: Entering the property from the East, the door becomes visible once you pass the built-in planter and the East side of the home. The veranda is on the left, the living room is straight ahead, the reception room is on the right. 2014.03.0114 (4)

5a: Viewed from the Southeast. The living room is on the left. The entrance is in the center, the reception room is to the right. 2014.03.0114 (5)

5b: Detail of the front door. Entering through the front door, stairs to the right, lead you up to the reception room. 2014.03.0114 (5)

6: A built-in planter, a Wright trademark, adorns the Southeast corner. 2014.03.0114 (6)

7: A built-in planter, a Wright trademark, adorns the Southeast corner. 2014.03.0114 (7)

8: The roof cantilevers approximately 18 feet out over the veranda. The dining room is on the left, living room and veranda in the center, reception room on the right. 2014.03.0114 (8)

9: The bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 2 and 3 divide the center, each have three windows. 2014.03.0114 (9)

10: Double doors, which originally opened outward, lead from the veranda to the living room. 2014.03.0114 (10)

11: Viewing the Sutton home brought a smile to my granddaughter's face. 2014.03.0114 (11)

12: Viewed from the South. Lower level: the dining room is on the left, living room and veranda in the center, reception room on the right. Cantilevered roof extends past the veranda. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 1 is on the far left. Bedroom 2 and 3 divide the center, bedroom 4 is on the right. Bedroom 5 is on the North side above the kitchen. 2014.03.0114 (12)

13: Viewed from the South. Other than the front door, this view of the home is perfectly symmetrical. 2014.03.0114 (13)

14: Viewed from the Southwest. Lower level: the dining room is on the left, living room and veranda are on the right. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 1 is on the left. Bedroom 2 and 3 divide the right set window. 2014.03.0114 (14)

15: Viewed from the Southwest. The roof cantilevers approximately 18 feet out over the enclosed veranda, which leads into the living room through the double art glass doors. 2014.03.0114 (15)

16: Entrance to the enclosed veranda is from the living room through the double art glass doors. A built-in planter, a Wright trademark, sets just outside the art glass window. 2014.03.0114 (16)

17: Viewed from the Southwest. Lower level: the dining room is on the left, living room and veranda in the center, reception room on the right. The cantilevered roof extends past the veranda. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 1 is on the far left. Bedroom 2 and 3 divide the center, bedroom 4 is on the right. Bedroom 5 is on the North side above the kitchen. 2014.03.0114 (17)

18: Viewed from the Southwest. The family room, added by the Korells during their restoration is on the left, the dining room is in the center, living room and veranda are on the right. Bedroom 1 is above the dining room. 2014.03.0114 (18)

19: Viewed from the Southwest. The new garage and studio were added by the Korells during their restoration. 2014.03.0114 (19)

20: Viewed from the West. The new garage and studio were added by the Korells during their restoration. 2014.03.0114 (20)

21: Viewed from the Northeast. The family room on the left, enclosed deck with built in planters and the garage in the background on the right were added by the Korells during their restoration. 2014.03.0114 (21)

22: Viewed from the Northeast. Lower level: the kitchen is on the left, the new family room is on the right. The dining room is directly behind the family room. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 5 is on the left, above the kitchen. Bedroom 1 is on the far right above the dining room. 2014.03.0114 (22)

23: Detail of the kitchen window with original leaded art glass. 2014.03.0114 (23)

24: Viewed from the Northeast. Lower level: the kitchen is on the left, the new family room is on the right. The dining room is directly behind the family room. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 5 is on the left, above the kitchen. Bedroom 1 is on the far right above the dining room. 2014.03.0114 (24)

25: Viewed from the Northeast. The original first floor bedroom is on the left. The door leads to the basement. the balcony is above.. 2014.03.0114 (25)

26: Viewed from the Northeast. Lower level: the reception room is on the left, the lower level bedroom is in the center, the door leads to the basement, The kitchen isto the right, the new deck and family room are on the right. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 4 is on the far left above the reception room. The balcony is above the lower bedroom. Bedroom 5 is above the kitchen. 2014.03.0114 (26)

27: Viewed from the Northeast. Lower level: the reception room is on the left, the lower level bedroom is in the center, The new deck and family room are on the right. Bedroom 4 is on the left above the reception room. The balcony is above the lower bedroom. Bedroom 5 is on the right. 2014.03.0114 (27)

28: Viewed from the Northeast. Lower level: the reception room is on the left, the lower level bedroom is on the right. Bedroom 4 is on the left above the reception room. The balcony is above the lower bedroom on the right. 2014.03.0114 (28)

29: A built-in planter, a Wright trademark, adorns the Northeast corner of the reception room. 2014.03.0114 (29)

30: Viewed from the East. Lower level: the cantilevered roof extends out over the veranda on the left. The reception room is in the center, the lower bedroom is on the right. Bedrooms are on the upper level. Bedroom 4 is above the reception room, the balcony is on the right. 2014.03.0114 (30)

31: Viewed from the East. Detail of the east side of bedroom 4 which is above the reception room. 2014.03.0114 (31)

32: Viewed from the Southeast. Detail of the east side of bedroom 4 which is above the reception room. 2014.03.0114 (32)

33: Viewed from the Southeast. Detail of the windows on the east side of the reception room. Windows open outward. 2014.03.0114 (33)

34: Viewed from the Southeast. Lower level: the living room and veranda are on the left, the cantilevered roof extends past the veranda. The entrance and reception room are in the center. The lower level bedroom is on the right. Bedroom 1 is on the West end of the upper level. Bedroom 2 and 3 divide the center, bedroom 4 is in the foreground. The balcony is on the right. 2014.03.0114 (34)

34b (4): Entering the property from the East, the door becomes visible once you pass the built-in planter and the East side of the home. The veranda is on the left, the living room is straight ahead, the reception room is on the right. 2014.03.0114 (34)

35: Viewed from the Southeast. Lower level: the living room and veranda are on the left, the cantilevered roof extends past the veranda. The entrance and reception room are on the right. Bedroom 1 is on the West end of the upper level. Bedroom 2 and 3 divide the center, bedroom 4 is in the foreground. The balcony is visible on the far right. 2014.03.0114 (35)

36 (1): Viewed from the Southeast. There are many classic Wright details in this Prairie styled home. The basic materials are wood and stucco. Strong horizontal lines, broad overhanging eaves, horizontal rows of art glass windows and doors, the prominent centrally located fireplace and chimney, open first floor plan, built-in planters, cantilevered roof, anchoring the home by placing it on an enlarged concrete base. 2014.03.0114 (1)

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