The Henry J. Allen Residence 

1916

255 N. Roosevelt St.
Wichita, KS 67208

During the course of our Spring 2023 trip to the Grand Ole Opry and various Frank Lloyd Wright sites along the way, Dorothy and I  had a “drive-by” visit to the Allen Residence on the early afternoon of Monday, March 27, 2023.  While planning our trip, I had hoped to arrange a tour of this beautiful home, but they are not open on Sundays or Mondays.  When I called them they said I was welcome to walk around outside the residence and take pictures, even though they would be closed on the day we were in Wichita, so that is exactly what we did.

Henry J. Allen was a very important man.  He was the influential editor and publisher of The Wichita Beacon, and served as the 21st governor of Kansas (1919-1923) as well as the United States Senate (1929-1930).  He comissioned Wright to build this residence in 1916, and it was completed in 1918.  It was the last house Wright designed in his brick Prairie School style, and it features 40 pieces of furniture designed by Wright and George Mann Niedecken.  The brochure available at the home has this interesting quote from Frank Lloyd Wright about the house:

“…Allen’s home will be an ‘oasis’ in the architectural desert of Kansas.  Great things ought to come of it for us all.”

I was tempted to put this house in the “tours” category, since I was able to get some really good photos from the outside.  I hope to go back some day and see this wonderful home with a proper tour!  Below are photos from our visit.

One Final Photo of The Allen House Living Room…

The Allen House Floor Plan…