We traveled into Ohio to our second Springfield, Springfield, Ohio. Heather asked me if we were going to try to visit all the Springfield's in the US. During college, she lived in Springfield, MO. We hadn't put that in our plans but we are trying to see as many of Frank Lloyd Wright's homes as we could. Which is what took us into Springfield, while staying at Tomorrow's Star RV.
The Westcott House was designed in 1906 and built in 1908. It is probably more noted for what it has not been than for what it is. The original owners were Burton and Orpha Westcott. The interior was converted into a multi-unit apartment building in the early 1940's. Through the cooperative efforts of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy and The Westcott House Foundation the restoration of The Westcott House took over five years. The five-million-dollar process of restoring the Burton J. Westcott House was preserved on a film for all to see. The Westcott House is only one of about 350 Wright houses remaining in the world, so Bob and I have our travels cut out for us. Only 348 to go. Eleven of Wright's homes are located in Ohio. The Westcott House opened to the public in 2005.
Burton J. Westcott was the founder of the The Westcott Motor Car Company. His car was advertised as "The Car with the Longer Life". Westcott was elected as president of the Town Council in 1921, a position equivalent to mayor. He was a powerful member of the community, even trying to use his influence to get a cemetery across the street from his home turned into a park. After moving about 2/3 of the bodies to a new cemetery across town, a hard rain stopped the project and today this cemetery is part park and part cemetery.
After leaving the house, we headed into town for lunch and a visit to the
Clark County Historical Museum. This museum is housed in a century-old City Hall and Marketplace. The Heritage Center of Clark County occupies a 50 feet by 462 feet, 56,000 square foot, three story, brick and stone building in the center of downtown Springfield, originally constructed in 1890 for city offices and a farmer's market. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. One of Burton's cars were on display at this museum.
We went back to our motorhome. The next day we had housekeeping things to do, like laundry. This park, Tomorrow's Star RV was probably the friendliest park we have stayed at on our journey. We were only here 3 days, but the facility was lovely and the people were the best. Heading to Amish country next.
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