Oak Park, Illinois Village Departments -- Historic Preservation

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Historic Preservation

Oak Park is internationally noted for its architectural heritage, with styles ranging from Victorian to Prairie. Oak Park is known particularly as the place with the single most Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings anywhere in the world. Oak Park has three nationally recognized historic districts - The Ridgeland / Oak Park Historic District, the Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie School of Architecture Historic District and the Gunderson Historic District. These areas, comprising a third of the houses in the Village, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Oak Park also has nine buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, in addition to a number of locally designated landmarks.

The historic districts can be viewed as districts that supplement, not replace, the underlying zoning regulations. Historic buildings in the districts give Oak Park much of its charm, appearance and special character. The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) strives to preserve the historic integrity of the Village by ensuring that the historical character of building exteriors is preserved, identifying landmark buildings and historic neighborhoods, and providing free architectural advice to homeowners in the historic districts. Buildings in the historic districts are subject to an additional historical advisory review by the HPC prior to the issuance of a building permit. While most HPC rulings are not binding, they provide the homeowner guidance in maintaining the historic character of the structure. In addition, owners of buildings in the historic districts may enjoy special tax considerations. Full or partial building demolition is prohibited in the historic districts without Village review. The Village does not require homeowners to restore buildings in the historic districts to their original condition, or regulate paint color or interior renovations. Each year the Village, through its Historic Preservation Commission, recognizes outstanding preservation efforts with a special award.

Click here to view a map of Oak Park's three historic districts