Housewalk 2010: Babson to Baltis – A 20th Century Pageant

Henry Babson Service Buildings

Henry Babson Estate

Sunday May 16, 2010

Noon to 5:00PM

Riverside, Illinois


There are seven extraordinary homes on this year’s housewalk, all within easy walking distance, that showcase the transition from the early 20th century prairie style of the former Babson Estate Service Buildings to the opulent 1920-30’s traditional styles of the Skala and the French Normandy residences. The grand culmination comes in the four residences representing the superb mid 20th century modern architecture of the Baltis Riverside Estates, called the” Fortunate Forty”. This subdivision of the original 28 acre Louis Sullivan and Jens Jensen designed Babson Estate is in an area long recognized as one of the most desirable in Riverside. Frederick Law Olmsted even selected two adjacent parcels here, overlooking the Longcommon, as partial payment for his village design and construction services.

Skala Residence

Skala Residence

Fortunate Forty - Jahn

Fortunate Forty – Jahn

Baltis Built - 1955

Baltis Built – 1955

Fortunate Forty - 1965

Fortunate Forty – 1965

Fortunate Forty - Page

Fortunate Forty – Page

French Normandy - 1936

French Normandy – 1936


Tickets for the Housewalk are $25.00 pre-sale and $30.00 day of the Walk.

Olmsted Society Members get a $5.00 discount.

Tickets are available on-line by following the link below. Tickets are also available at Aunt Diana’s and at the Riverside Public Library. For more information, please contact our Olmsted Society Housewalk Committee Chairpersons:

gro.yteicosdetsmlonull@klawesuoh

Ticket Purchase INFO