Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District

05/14/2026

This home is one of featured buildings you can learn about on the Rock Crest Rock Glen Walking Tour hosted by Wright on the Park. While it's not Prairie School, it is a unique example of Shingle Style architecture, rare in Iowa. Of interest is the curved window on the first floor, with guests regularly commenting about it's structure!

Today we feature another house designed by local builder E. R. Bogardus, built in 1908 - 1909.
It is designed in the Shingle Style and features a large gable on the north and south elevations of the home with a semi-circular bay on the main floor. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

04/29/2026

Wright on the Park's regular season of Prairie-School walking tours starts on Friday, May 1!

What will you see along the Rock Crest-Rock Glen walking tour?

1908: Wright designs and builds the Stockman House, his third "Fireproof House"
1910: William Drummond designs the Curtis Yelland House on River Heights Drive
1912-14: Walter Burley Griffin designs and builds the Arthur Rule, Harry Page, Joshua Melson (castle), and James E. Blythe Houses
1914-16: Griffin designs and Barry Byrne supervises the construction of the Sam Schneider and Hugh Gilmore Houses
1914-16: Einar Broaten designs and builds the Samuel Davis Drake House on Rock Crest
1917: Barry Byrne designs the C. F. Franke House
1959: Wright apprentice Curtis Besinger designs the Usonian House for Tom MacNider

Come hear the stories on how these homes got built! Walking Tours are Fri/Sat/Sun at 9am starting at the Historic Park Inn Hotel. Tickets are $10 for adults and available to purchase online at www.wrightonthepark.org or in person at the WOTP gift shop located inside the Historic Park Inn Hotel.

04/08/2026

Did you know? This grand (but definitely not Prairie-School) house is key to why Frank Lloyd Wright came to Mason City, Iowa and why we have so much Prairie-School architecture here. You can learn that and more when you take a 1.5 hour walking tour through Wright on the Park on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May through September.

03/26/2026

As we gear up for summer and walking tour season, here's a great opportunity in Mason City!

10/02/2025

We are excited to welcome Walter Burley Griffin Society members! Enjoy the many homes in our beautiful city!

✨ is proud to welcome the Walter Burley Griffin Society of America this weekend for their 24th Annual Meeting!

Dedicated to preserving the work of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, the Society celebrates the beauty of Prairie School architecture. Guests from around the world will explore the Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District, home to some of the Griffins’ remarkable work, and enjoy all the other architectural, cultural, and natural treasures our city has to offer.

07/07/2025

This beautiful property is located across the street from the Rock Glen area of East State Street. If you have plans to Visit Mason City Iowa take time to schedule tours of Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House Museum and Historic Park Inn Hotel and of course the Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District walking tour!

This week's Monday Member Benefit feature is the Stockman House in Mason City, Iowa. Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Members at the Insider level or higher can take full advantage of the Frank Lloyd Wright National Reciprocal Sites Program as part of their membership.

In the early 1900s, Frank Lloyd Wright designed a building for the Hillside Home School in Spring Green, WI, run by his aunts. There, he befriended James E.E. Markley, a Mason City attorney whose daughters attended the school.

When the City National Bank in Mason City, planned a new building, Markley, serving on the board recommended Wright. As Wright made trips to Mason City in 1907–1908 to discuss the project, another opportunity emerged: designing a home for Markley’s neighbor, Dr. George C. Stockman.

Built in 1908, the Stockman House is Wright’s third version of his “Fireproof House” design from Ladies’ Home Journal. Though adapted with stucco over frame instead of reinforced concrete, the house features hallmark Wright elements: cantilevered roofs, an L-shaped open floor plan, broad veranda, and second-story balcony.

Originally located at 311 1st Street SE, the house was moved in 1989 to save it from demolition. It now stands at 530 1st Street NE, near the Rock Glen Historic District—rotated to face west. The River City Society for Historic Preservation restored the home, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Enjoy two complimentary guided tours plus a 10% shop discount on your next visit. Tour times are Wednesday – Monday, closed on Tuesdays, hours vary. Advanced tickets are recommended.

Contact visitor services directly by phone to make your arrangements and let them know you're a Foundation Member. You must also present your membership card when you arrive to redeem this benefit.
Phone: 641.423.1923

06/23/2025

Attention architecture fans! 🏠 The Page House at 21 Rock Glen in Mason City is FOR SALE BY OWNER. Contact the owner at 641-425-5532 to learn more. This home was designed by Walter Burley Griffin Society in 1912. Learn more about this home here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DpA7Xx2mt/

06/17/2025

Interested in owning a historic piece of Mason City history? The Page House designed by Walter Burley Griffin Society located at 21 Rock Glen in Mason City is now available for sale. For more information contact the owner at 641-425-5532. You can see the outside of the house for yourself when you take a Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District walking tour Fri/Sat/Sun at 9:00 am starting at the Historic Park Inn Hotel.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DpA7Xx2mt/

06/12/2025

What will you see along the Rock Crest-Rock Glen walking tour?

1908: Wright designs and builds the Stockman House, his third "Fireproof House"
1910: William Drummond designs the Curtis Yelland House on River Heights Drive
1912-14: Walter Burley Griffin designs and builds the Arthur Rule, Harry Page, Joshua Melson (castle), and James E. Blythe Houses
1914-16: Griffin designs and Barry Byrne supervises the construction of the Sam Schneider and Hugh Gilmore Houses
1914-16: Einar Broaten designs and builds the Samuel Davis Drake House on Rock Crest
1917: Barry Byrne designs the C. F. Franke House
1959: Wright apprentice Curtis Besinger designs the Usonian House for Tom MacNider

Come hear the stories on how these homes got built! Walking Tours are Fri/Sat/Sun at 9am starting at the Historic Park Inn Hotel. Tickets are $10 and available to purchase online at www.wrightonthepark.org or in person at the WOTP gift shop located inside the Historic Park Inn Hotel.

06/06/2025

Tomorrow (Saturday, June 7) is the first Mason City Farmers Market of the season, and it is right across the street from Historic Park Inn Hotel in Central Park! Your Saturday is planned with a 9am Prairie School Walking Tour followed by a stop at the Farmer's Market for fresh produce and locally made goods. Tickets for the Walking Tour can be purchased via phone (641-423-0689) online (www.wrightonthepark.org) or in person at the gift shop inside the Historic Park Inn Hotel.

The last remaining hotel designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright