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"This style became Wright's best known and for the next decade after the Bradley House design, Wright's commissions were often derived from this plan and included elements first seen as a unified design at the Bradley House.
Following an extensive restoration, the Bradley House now enjoys the opportunity to be appreciated by architecture fans from around the world. Wright In Kankakee is pleased to offer you the opportunity to tour the Bradley House, browse fine gifts in the giftshop, or host your special event with us.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright,1900
Through the years, the house has seen many alterations.
1901-1913 B. Harley and Anna Hickox Bradley built the house and lived here with their adopted daughter, Margaret and Mr. Bradley’s parents, Byron and Alice (Wilbur) Bradley until 1913 when they sold the property to Mr. A. E. Cook of Iowa. The Bradleys moved to a farm in Onawa, Iowa, acquired in the sale.
1915-1949 Joseph H. Dodson was a member of the Chicago Board of Trade for 22 years. He was a bird lover and after retiring he chose the Bradley House for his home and the carriage house for his bird house factory. He was a one time president of the National Audubon Society. Mr. Dodson bequeathed the property to his secretary Mrs. James F. Nelis, Sr., and the birdhouse business to Mrs. Nelis and valued employee, William Lord.
1953-1983 Marvin Hammack and Ray Schimel purchased the property, converting it to a restaurant known for 30 years as The Yesteryear. Through the years many alterations were made to both the house and carriage house. Diners traveled hundreds of miles for the Yesteryear experience, but the doors closed in 1983 when the owners became ill. Mr. Hammack’s estate removed and sold several original Wright designed pieces from the house.
1984 Kankakee resident Richard Murray and his partner attempted to revive the restaurant business, but failed.
1986 Kankakee businessman Stephen B. Small bought the property in an attempt to save and restore the structure. His work came to a halt when he died in a botched kidnapping.
1990-2005 Attorneys Lee Thacker, Robert LaBeau, and Michael Dietchweiler, and architect Ron Moline purchased the property and converted the house into an office complex, dramatically modifying the interior by removing walls and eliminating rooms. The carriage house was never included in the renovation; left vacant for 15 years it fell into a severely neglected state.
2005 Gaines and Sharon Hall acquired the property to rescue the carriage house from demolition. Using Wright’s original plans they completed the restoration of both the house and carriage house as you see it today.
2010 Wright In Kankakee, a local not-for-profit, acquired the house with the mission to open it to the public as an arts/education center. The house opened in June 2010 and continues to be a public museum and site."
701 S. Harrison
The location is along the banks of the Kankakee River at the end of a block that includes other FLW houses, for example the Hickox House next door (Not open to the public. The Hickox house may have been used as the builder's office/house while the Bradley residence was being constructed.) We ate here when it was The Yesteryear restaurant back in the 80's.