Century of Progress Homes was a must see on my first big solo car camping trip. My only regret is that I didn’t leave sooner or stay in the area longer because the sun was setting when I got there.
I chose to work so I didn’t leave until late afternoon. Peoria, IL to Eureka to Pontiac to Joliet to Gary, IN – I got off Interstate 6 to the Dunes Highway (Hwy 12). I stopped at Indiana Dunes for a quick break then stopped for the night at the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair Century of Progress Homes.
Looking back I would have spent more time there or even stopped for the night at Indiana Dunes. At the time my thought process was to get further before dark, and I could always come back because I live close.
1933 Chicago Worlds Fair Century of Progress Homes
I don’t remember how I found it but I am so glad that I did because it was the perfect ending to the first day. The houses sit on a gorgeous riverfront.
According to the NPS.gov website, the Century of Progress was created to offer hope during The Great Depression. Developer Robert Barlett brought a dozen buildings including 5 homes from the housing exhibit to make of the Century of Progress Historic District. Four of the fie houses were considered wildly modern for the time period (1933).
House of Tomorrow
This modern home will have a floor-to-ceiling glass walls, central AC, an innovative open floor plan (for the time period), the first GE dishwasher, an “iceless” refrigerator, and an attached hanger for the family airplane. This house sits on West Lake Front Drive facing the water.
Florida Tropical
Pink house on Lake Front Drive was designed by architect Robert Law Weed.
Wiebolt-Rosone
According to South Shore CVA this house was made out of an experimental material called Rostone which is a combination of shale, limestone, and alkali. The house has been remodeled using concrete stucco as Rostone wasn’t as sturdy as they hoped.
This house was one of my favorites from the outside, but I am interested in what the inside looks like due to the lack of windows around the house. I really hope I get a chance to come back when it’s daylight because I want the chance to look at the houses more.
End of First Night
There is a small parking lot next to the houses where I stayed the night. It was absolutely perfect.
