The Historic Districts
of Oak Park
Three distinct architectural legacies. One world-class village.
A Guide to Oak Park's Historic Districts
Scott Berg takes you through the three historic districts that define Oak Park's architectural legacy — from Prairie Style masterpieces to the cohesive streetscapes of south Oak Park.
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Your Guide to Historic Oak Park
Scott Berg — Rooted in Oak Park's History
I grew up in Oak Park and River Forest, attended the same schools my children now attend, and have spent more than 20 years helping buyers and sellers navigate one of the most architecturally significant real estate markets in the country.
Oak Park's three historic districts are not just designations on a map — they are living, breathing neighborhoods where the architecture tells the story of American suburban development from the 1870s through the 1920s. I know these streets, these homes, and these preservation guidelines intimately.
Whether you are buying your first historic home, renovating a century-old Foursquare, or selling a Prairie Style gem, I bring the depth of knowledge that only comes from a lifetime in this community.
A Living Museum
Three Districts, Three Stories
Oak Park is home to three distinct historic districts, each listed on the National Register of Historic Places and locally designated by the Village. Together they encompass thousands of contributing buildings and represent one of the most intact collections of late-19th and early-20th century residential architecture anywhere in the United States.
The Frank Lloyd Wright–Prairie School of Architecture Historic District is the most internationally recognized — the birthplace of the Prairie Style and home to the world's largest concentration of Wright-designed buildings. The Ridgeland–Oak Park Historic District is the village's largest, covering 539 acres of early suburban development that predates Wright's arrival. And the Gunderson Historic District in south Oak Park tells a different story: the rise of planned, affordable tract housing in early 20th-century America.
For buyers and sellers, understanding which district a property falls within — and what that designation means for renovations, permits, and market value — is essential. Scott Berg has guided hundreds of clients through historic district transactions and knows the nuances of each corridor.
Oak Park's 3 Historic Districts
Click any district on the map or use the sidebar to learn about each historic area. Boundaries from official Village of Oak Park data.
The Three Districts
Explore Each Historic District
Each district has its own architectural identity, geographic boundaries, and real estate character.
Frank Lloyd Wright–Prairie School of Architecture
The most internationally recognized historic district in Oak Park. This is where Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked from 1889 to 1909, designing more than 25 buildings within walking distance of his Home and Studio on Forest Avenue. The district contains the world's largest concentration of Wright-designed structures, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Unity Temple.
Ridgeland–Oak Park Historic District
Oak Park's largest historic district, covering 539 acres and more than 1,558 contributing buildings. This is the village's original suburban core — development began here in the 1870s, predating Wright's arrival by two decades. The district spans a wide range of architectural styles.
Gunderson Historic District
A cohesive and historically significant planned development in south Oak Park, built by S.T. Gunderson and Sons between 1906 and 1920. The district's 230 residential buildings — predominantly American Foursquare homes designed by architect Frank DeMoney — represent an early and remarkably intact example of tract housing.
Real Estate Insights
Buying & Selling in a Historic District
Historic designation shapes the market in ways that matter to buyers and sellers alike.
Preservation Guidelines & the COA Process
Exterior alterations visible from the street in a locally designated historic district require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from Oak Park's Historic Preservation Commission. This applies to windows, doors, siding, roofing, additions, and demolitions. Interior renovations are generally not subject to review.
Value, Scarcity & Long-Term Appreciation
Historic designation protects the character of a neighborhood by limiting incompatible development. That scarcity — combined with the architectural pedigree of the homes — has historically supported strong long-term value retention.
Renovation: What You Can and Cannot Change
Many buyers are surprised to learn how much flexibility they have inside a historic home. Kitchens, bathrooms, mechanical systems, and floor plans can typically be updated without any historic review. The preservation guidelines focus on the exterior envelope.
Selling a Historic Home
Marketing a home in one of Oak Park's historic districts requires a different approach than a standard listing. The architectural story of the home — its style, its architect if known, its place within the district — is a genuine selling point.
Common Questions
Oak Park Historic Districts — FAQ
How many historic districts are in Oak Park, Illinois?
Oak Park has three historic districts, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Frank Lloyd Wright–Prairie School of Architecture Historic District (listed 1973), the Ridgeland–Oak Park Historic District (listed 1983), and the Gunderson Historic District (listed 2002). All three are also locally designated by the Village of Oak Park.
What does it mean to own a home in an Oak Park historic district?
Owning a home in one of Oak Park's locally designated historic districts means that exterior alterations visible from the street — such as replacing windows, changing siding, adding a porch, or building an addition — may require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the Village's Historic Preservation Commission. Interior renovations are generally not regulated.
Which Oak Park historic district has the most Frank Lloyd Wright buildings?
The Frank Lloyd Wright–Prairie School of Architecture Historic District contains the world's largest concentration of Wright-designed buildings — more than 25 structures within walking distance of Wright's Home and Studio at 951 Chicago Avenue. The Ridgeland–Oak Park Historic District also contains two Wright-designed buildings: the George W. Smith House and Unity Temple.
What architectural styles are found in the Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District?
The Ridgeland–Oak Park Historic District is Oak Park's most architecturally diverse district. It includes Late Victorian, Italianate, Queen Anne, Shingle Style, Colonial Revival, Craftsman bungalow, and early Prairie Style homes, as well as notable commercial and civic buildings including the Oak Park Post Office (1933) and the Art Deco Medical Arts Building. With 1,558 contributing buildings across 539 acres, it is also the largest of the three districts.
What makes the Gunderson Historic District unique?
The Gunderson Historic District is historically significant as one of the earliest and best-preserved examples of planned tract housing in the United States. Developed by S.T. Gunderson and Sons between 1906 and 1920, the district's 230 homes were all designed by architect Frank DeMoney using the American Foursquare as a base form. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Do historic district rules restrict interior renovations in Oak Park?
Generally, no. Oak Park's historic preservation guidelines focus on exterior alterations that are visible from the street. Interior renovations — including kitchen and bathroom remodels, mechanical system upgrades, and reconfiguring floor plans — are not subject to historic review.
How does historic district designation affect home values in Oak Park?
Historic designation in Oak Park has generally supported strong long-term value retention by protecting neighborhood character and limiting incompatible development. The architectural pedigree of homes in these districts — particularly in the FLW district — attracts buyers who are specifically seeking historic properties.
Ready to Explore?
Let's Find Your Historic Oak Park Home
Whether you are buying, selling, or simply exploring what Oak Park's historic districts have to offer, Scott Berg is your guide. With 20+ years of experience and deep roots in this community, he brings knowledge that no algorithm can replicate.