Rush Creek Village

Many native Ohioans are not aware of a very unique and historic neighborhood that sits right off of High Street in Worthington. Founded in 1954 by Richard and Martha Wakefield with the aid of architect Theodore Van Fossen, Rush Creek Village comprises 51 houses based on Frank Lloyd Wright’s principles of Usonian architecture (I had to look it up too, I’ll save you the trouble). 

Usonian architecture, simply put, was Frank Lloyd Wright’s solution for the middle class. It is the embodiment of an idea for a simple, stylish small house of moderate cost. It is not so much a style, but more a type of residential architecture. Wright did not want his legacy to be solely an architect for the wealthy, and during the depths of the Great Depression he realized the nation’s housing needs would be changed forever. The formula: uncomplicate the construction process and consolidate and simplify the three appurtenance (hello real estate glossary terms) systems: heating, lighting and sanitation. This meant no attics, basements, simple roofing, natural ornamentation and radiant heating (vs. forced).

Rush Creek was the result of the Wakefiled’s trip to visit Wright (as they were fans of his architecture) in his Arizona studio. As they were leaving the architect suggested to Martha that she build a home for herself and one for her next door neighbor. She took this advice to heart and her and her husband (a builder) partnered with a former student of Wright’s, Theodore Van Fossen to create a neighborhood based on Wright’s principle of organic architecture, which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world. 

I myself have taken numerous drives through this neighborhood and can say that the deer rival the number of squirrels and you forget that you are minutes from downtown Columbus. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. I challenge those who think that the suburbs are just a collection of cookie-cutter homes with no character or style to take a field trip to Worthington and drive through Rush Creek.