Lewis, Lloyd, House
Also known as: Haines House
Why it's listed
Set on a densely wooded lot on the east bank of the Des Plaines River in Libertyville, this 1939 house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Lloyd Lewis, a Chicago Daily News columnist and author of Civil War histories. It follows Wright's Usonian approach: common brick service cores and piers, cypress board-and-batten walls, radiant floor heating, recessed lighting and built-in furniture. The main body rests on brick piers, with an open loggia, carport and two bedrooms at ground level. Above, changes in floor level define the living, dining and study areas within an open plan. Between 1936 and 1942 Wright designed many Usonian houses, but only 25 were built, and this is the only one from the period in Illinois. Compared with the typical Usonian, it is a somewhat more luxurious version, with space for large gatherings and a servant's room. It was listed as an early, intact example by a master architect.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant as the work of master architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is described as an excellent example, and the only Illinois example, of his pre-World War II Usonian residential designs. It is also an early, intact example of the housing type, although it was less than 50 years old at the time of nomination.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82002579, listed June 15, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 153 Little St. Mary, Libertyville |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Listed | June 15, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002579 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1939 |
| Architect / builder | Frank Lloyd Wright |
| Architectural style | Usonian (Frank Lloyd Wright) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good condition, unaltered and on its original site; used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 1.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.26035, -87.93555 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82002579.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6662581
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.