While exploring Indiana Dunes National Park, we visited the Century of Progress Homes. A unique part of this park gives a glimpse of innovation from our past. Here’s all you need to know about Indiana Dunes National Park’s Century of Progress Homes.
If you want to read more about our time in this park, check out: Exploring Indiana Dunes National Park in a Day.
Getting to the Century of Progress Homes
The Century of Progress Homes Historic District is located on Lake Front Drive in Beverly Shores. And it’s only 10 minutes from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. Not only is this a good marker for getting to the historic homes, but it’s a good stop to get information. You will also need to pay the entrance fee and get a pass for the park here. The visitor center is located just off I-94 exit 26B near Chesterton. Though the visitor center is towards the lake in Porter.
To get to the homes, exit the visitor center and turn right on State Road 49 for about a mile. Turn right again on US-12 and go about 3 miles before turning on East State Park Boundary Road. From here to Kemil Beach is a nice wooded drive passing the Kemil Beach parking lot. The road turns into West Lake Front Drive when it turns along the lake shore. And in a 1/2 mile you’re there.
Parking for the Century of Progress Homes
Once past the sign for the historic district, look for parking on your right. Though this parking area off the street is not large, it can easily fit multiple cars. When we first got there in the afternoon, there was only one other car. And it seemed 10 cars could easily fit here. But you may have to circle if no spots are immediately available. From the Lake Front parking you are across the street from the 2 homes on the lakeside. The other 3 homes are above the road up steps from this parking area. And all of the homes can easily be walked to from here.
However, if you cannot find a spot off Lake Front Drive, there is another option. You can also park in the nearby Dunbar Beach parking lot a few hundred feet before the 1st house. This would also be an easy walk to the homes, but just watch for cars since there’s no sidewalk. Note at both locations you need to put your national park pass in the windshield since a fee is required for the national park.
The Century of Progress Homes
These homes are from the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, which was called the Century of Progress. And these houses were part of the Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition for the Century of Progress World’s Fair. They were built to showcase experimental and modern designs and technologies at the time. And these homes were transported here in 1935 by the Beverly Shores developer. In 1986, the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. What is interesting is people live in 4 of the 5 houses sub-leasing them in exchange for restoring them. So, you cannot enter the homes unless you get tickets for the annual tour in September. For more information, see: 1933 Chicago World’s Fair Century of Progress Homes – Indiana Dunes National Park (nps.gov).
Wiebolt-Rostone House
The 1st house on the row you will see is the Wiebolt-Rostone House. If you park on Lake Front Drive, you will need to walk back a little to see it. From the Dunbar Beach parking lot, this will be the 1st house you see on the left.
If this house looks like Fort Knox, it’s because it was framed in steel. And the walls were made of Rostone, an experimental new building material made from shale, alkaline metals and limestone slurry. Though marketed as never needing repairs, this material started to fail 10 years after it was installed. However, it was replaced with Permastone in 1950. Further restoration efforts started in 1997 and is fully restored today.
Florida Tropical House
Probably the most recognizable of the Century of Progress Homes is the Florida Tropical House. This pink house is directly across from the Lake Front parking overlooking Lake Michigan.
Designed by a Miami architect, it looks like something you could see today in South Florida. The goal of the house was to blend the indoor and outdoor areas together with the use of its rooftop terrace. It was designed with the Florida resident in mind and was also made with building materials native to Florida. Restoration efforts started in 2000 with the current lessee who lives there today.
Armco-Ferro House
The Armco-Ferro House is the 1st house on the other side on top of a dune with a retaining wall. And this house was the only one of the 5 that met the World Fair Committee’s criteria. It had to be affordable and could be mass produced for the average American family.
American Rolling Mill Company (Armco) collaborated with the Ferro Enamel Corporation to build this unique house. This frameless steel house was made with revolutionary porcelain-enameled steel panels bolted together. Though this house also needed restoration which was completed by 2012.
House of Tomorrow
The next house on top is the circular looking House of Tomorrow. Probably the house with the most fanfare at the World’s Fair, it was designed as the house of the future. It even included its own airplane hangar!
The house is technically a dodecagon or 12-sided polygon. And this 3 story structure around a central staircase is covered in glass offering views from every angle. But unlike the others, this house is still in disrepair due to the large cost of renovation. However the good news is the park was just awarded funds to start the restoration. You can read more about it here.
Cypress Log Cabin
The last house on the row is the Cypress Log Cabin. This is the most traditional looking house especially for its time. Made of traditional materials, it showcased many uses of cypress. Designed as a mountain lodge or rustic vacation cabin, cypress was used for everything from the exterior siding and flooring to lamps, furniture and more.
Like the other homes on top, there are 27 stairs leading to the house. Ironically this house has held up the best against the other experimental housing materials. And the house is completely restored by the lessee living in it today.
Beach Access
On the other side of the road, we found a way down from Lake Front drive through the sand to the beach. Though this is not an official beach access, you can make it down to the lake.
Not only can you see Lake Michigan and the golden-sand beach, but you can get more views of the homes. You can get close views of the backsides of the Florida Tropical and Wiebolt-Rostone homes. Though the other 3 houses on top of the dunes are farther away. Just remember that people live in these houses and to respect their privacy.
Summary of Century of Progress Homes
If you’re in the area, we would definitely recommend stopping by the Century of Progress Homes. Park on Lake Front Drive if you can and get out and walk around to see the homes and read their signs. Each home is unique and a showcase of 20th century American innovation. Take your time at your leisure and enjoy the homes and the views of Lake Michigan. You can also take a walk down to the beach to get another view of the homes. Or park at nearby Dunbar Beach parking lot to visit the neighboring beach. But even if you can only have 15 minutes, this is a unique stop in Indiana Dunes National Park.
Check out more of our adventures in our national parks!