tHE OWNER ADMITS he had no interest in Frank Lloyd Wright—or even in historic architecture—before he went house hunting. Eliot Butler was an apartment dweller in Madison for many years. Fifteen years ago, finally looking to buy a property, Eliot read a story about a historic house for sale in the local newspaper. He contacted the owners and arranged a visit, and that was that.
The house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1939–40 for John C. Pew, a Madison businessman. It occupies a long, narrow lot above Lake Mendota; Wright is quoted as saying this is “probably
