320 South Third Street — Frank R. Brown House

Prairie

Built 1903, this Prairie-style made popular by Frank Lloyd Wright. After Mr. Brown died in 1922, his wife left the home to a sister, Miss Gertrude French. At her death in 1947, it was bequeathed to Rockford College for use as the president's home. Dr. Mary Ashbury Cheek entertained often in the attic ballroom. In 1978, the house was sold to the Natural Land Institute. The interior was extensivley restored by removing all partitions which has been added for use as a reading clinic. Months of stripping painted surfaces exposed the original brick fireplaces and beautiful oak woodwork.