The Charles Weltzheimer House, located in Oberlin, Ohio, stands as a landmark in this college town. It is celebrated as the first of his Usonian homes constructed in the Buckeye State. Designed in 1947 and completed in 1949, the home was commissioned by Charles Weltzheimer, a local industrialist, and his wife Margaret. The Weltzheimers sought a beautiful and affordable single-family dwelling that aligned with Wright’s vision for modern, middle-class American life.
Architecture and Unique Features
The house is a clear expression of Wright’s Usonian philosophy: a low-slung, single-story, L-shaped plan anchored by a central fireplace. It features a flat roof with a cantilevered carport, simple built-in furniture, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows that open the interior to the surrounding landscape, promoting a strong connection between the building and its site.
However, the Weltzheimer House includes unique elements that distinguish it from a typical Usonian design. It is notably larger in scale and utilizes extensive masonry and decorative millwork. One of its most famous and playful aesthetic details is the dentil ornamentation along the roof fascia, crafted from hundreds of stained wooden croquet balls. Furthermore, this home is one of the rare Usonians built with rich redwood throughout the interior, instead of the more common cypress, lending a uniquely warm character. It also incorporates a radiant heating system beneath its dark red concrete floor.
A Preserved Legacy: Tours and Public Access to Weltzheimer House
The property was later restored by art historian Ellen H. Johnson, who eventually bequeathed it to Oberlin College. Today, the Weltzheimer/Johnson House is managed by the Allen Memorial Art Museum and is regularly open for tours, offering visitors an intimate look at this significant piece of architectural history. Visitors to the home must register on the Allen Museum website. Learn more about visiting the house at amam.oberlin.edu/flw-house
An Ideal Starting Point
Visitors to the Weltzheimer House will find Oberlin is an ideal starting point for a broader architectural and cultural itinerary across Northeast Ohio. A short drive away, the region offers even more Frank Lloyd Wright sites, including the Louis Penfield House and the RiverRock House in Willoughby Hills, offering different perspectives on his Usonian and late-career designs. Beyond architecture, the proximity to Lake Erie and Cleveland opens up opportunities to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the natural beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, making the Weltzheimer House a convenient centerpiece for a rich travel experience.
Location
The Weltzheimer / Johnson House is located at 534 Morgan Street in Oberlin, Ohio.
Places to Stay Near the Weltzheimer House
- The Hotel at Oberlin (modern design hotel in downtown Oberlin with restaurant & lounge, dog friendly)
- Holiday Inn Express Vermillion (9 miles from Oberlin)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cleveland West – Westlake (18 miles from Oberlin)
- Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport (21 miles from Oberlin)
Additional Resources, Links & Products
- Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College
- Oberlin College & Conservatory
- Ohio Bucket List Adventure Guide: Explore 100 Offbeat Destinations You Must Visit! by Cynthia Brandt
- The Expert’s Travel Guide to Cleveland, Ohio: 101+ Things to See, Do and Visit!
by People Who Know (Oberlin is just 34 miles from Cleveland)
