Overview

The Backus House is a great example of a low-cost Prairie School house.

• Location: 212 36th Street West
• Neighborhood: Lyndale

Historic profile

The Backus House is a great example of a low-cost Prairie School house. The two-story house has a pink stuccoed exterior with dark cypress wood trim. At the entrance, four large, stuccoed columns support a wood slat canopy. There is a wood slat awning above a band of five windows on the first story. This awning screens the sun and is a trellis for plants. The second floor also has bands of windows and widely overhanging eaves. These are common characteristics on Prairie School houses.  

Architects Purcell and Elmslie designed the interior with an open plan. The front living room and rear dining room are connected along an axis. In Prairie School architecture, screens are commonly used to separate spaces. A wooden lattice screen separates the entry hall from the dining area, and the living area from the dining area. The two bedrooms on the second floor can also become three bedrooms by opening a large panel. The Backus House has retained its design, structure, and original interior plasterwork.  

This house was built for Charles T. Backus, a piano tuner. He lived here with his wife Adeline. The architects designed a space near the front door for Backus’ piano.