Johnson, S.C., and Son Administration Building and Research Tower - Racine WI - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Frank Lloyd Wright's Depression-era design for the Johnson Wax Company's Administration Building and Research Tower was so radical that local building commissioners refused to approve it without a test. At issue were Wright's novel "mushroom" columns, intended to carry loads varying from 2 to 12 tons. When a sample was built and withstood a load of 60 tons, the permit was granted. One of three notable commissions executed by the architect during the Depression, these structures employ a highly original system of cantilever-slab construction in a classic of modern office design. Frank Lloyd Wright's imaginative approach to structure is seen in his use of rounded "organic" forms, and in the T-shaped columns and "tree-like" tower. The complex, which opened in 1939, continues to serve its original functions, and still contains original furnishings that Wright designed. Widely published, it was recognized for its importance even before it was completed, and helped the architect to gain a number of commissions.

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Street address: 1525 Howe St Racine, WI County / Borough / Parish: Racine Year listed: 1974 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1925-1949 Historic function: Commerce/Trade, Education Current function: Commerce/Trade, Education Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] National Historic Landmark Link: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 1: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed

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