The Thomas Gale House is a historic residence located in Oak Park, Illinois, that stands as one of the most significant markers of Frank Lloyd Wright’s early professional rebellion. Designed in 1892, this structure is a key member of the famous “Bootleg Houses“—a group of homes Wright designed in secret while still under contract with the firm of Adler & Sullivan.
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“Thomas Gale House” by RW Sinclair is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The Architecture of Rebellion
The Thomas Gale House represents a pivotal moment where Wright began to stretch the boundaries of traditional design. While the home is primarily a Queen Anne style structure—complete with a high-pitched roof and octagonal dormers—it subtly hints at the geometric experimentation that would later define the Prairie Style. Crafted from wooden clapboard, the house features horizontal bands of windows that invite abundant natural light into its spacious interior.
The project was commissioned by Thomas Gale, a local real estate developer and businessman. The relationship between the architect and the Gale family proved to be a lasting one; years later, in 1897, Wright also designed a summer cottage for Laura and Thomas Gale in Whitehall, Michigan.
Because Wright was contractually prohibited from taking outside commissions at the time of the Oak Park project, this house was a “bootleg” design. It was the discovery of these independent works that eventually led to Wright’s famous fallout with his mentor, Louis Sullivan, and the subsequent opening of Wright’s own practice.
Plan Your Visit
Location 📍
The Thomas Gale House is located in Oak Park, Illinois. The property is situated within easy walking distance of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, making it a natural stop on any walking tour of the historic district.
Curb-Side Viewing Only 🛑
Please be aware that the Thomas Gale House is a privately owned residence and is not open to the public for interior tours. We kindly ask that you respect the owners’ privacy and enjoy the architecture from the public sidewalk.
Wright also designed a summer cottage for Laura & Thomas Gale in Whitehall, Michigan in 1897.
Tour 🎫
While the home is private, it has been featured on the Wright Plus Housewalk in recent years. This annual event in May is often the only time architectural enthusiasts can step inside these private treasures. For a year-round experience, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust offers the Inside and Out Tour, which includes a self-guided audio walk past the Thomas Gale House and other nearby “bootleg” gems.
Make it a Trip 🧳
Since this house is part of the Wright Bootleg House collection, you can see it alongside the Robert Parker House and the Walter Gale House in a single afternoon. To fully immerse yourself in the neighborhood where the Prairie Style was born, we recommend booking a stay through our hand-picked collection of Oak Park and Chicago hotels on our Expedia storefront.
Additional Resources & Inspired Products
Find unique products, books, and gifts inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s early Oak Park years at our Amazon storefront: Wright at Home!
