Orland P. Bassett House
Encyclopedia
The Orland P. Bassett House, also known as the "American Beauty" House, is a historic Colonial Revival residence in Hinsdale
, Illinois
. The house, and the accompanying carriage house
, were constructed in 1899. Bassett began his career as a printer, moving to Chicago
manage the Pictorial Printing Company in 1874. He moved to Hinsdale with his wife in 1887 and began cultivating rose
s as a hobby. In 1888, he created a hybrid rose known as the American Beauty rose in his greenhouse
. He co-founded Bassett & Washburn, which became the first florist to distribute the rose. Commercial horticulture was a relatively new field as Americans had only gained significant disposable income late in the 19th century. One of their largest clients was the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
, who purchased the roses for use in their dining car
s. The company was the largest employer in Hinsdale in 1900.
Bassett purchased a plot of land on the corner of Oak and Sixth Street in late 1898 and commissioned contractor Ole Anderson to build it for $25,000. The original architect is unknown--although the plans to the building are intact, there is no indication of who drew them. Enock Hill Turnock remodeled Bassett's former house, "Bonnie Heights", and may have continued a working relationship with Bassett. Given Bassett's occupation, the house was nicknamed the "American Beauty" House by local residents. The house was completed in December 1899. The third floor of the house features a ballroom
where the Bassetts held dancing parties. The house was principally built in the Colonial Revival style, but also features elements of Queen Anne Style
. Bassett retired in 1907, passing the business to his son-in-law
, and moved to Pasadena
, California
in 1910. Bassett's grandson Egdar Washburn lived in the residence until 1913, when it was sold to Quaker Oats treasurer Robert Gordon. The house was renovated in 1942.
Hinsdale, Illinois
Hinsdale is a suburb of Chicago, Illinois; it is located partly in Cook County and mainly in DuPage County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 17,349 at the 2000 census. The town's ZIP code is 60521. The town has a rolling, wooded topography, with a quaint downtown and is a 30-minute...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The house, and the accompanying carriage house
Carriage house
A carriage house, also called remise or coach house, is an outbuilding which was originally built to house horse-drawn carriages and the related tack.In Great Britain the farm building was called a Cart Shed...
, were constructed in 1899. Bassett began his career as a printer, moving to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
manage the Pictorial Printing Company in 1874. He moved to Hinsdale with his wife in 1887 and began cultivating rose
Rose
A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows...
s as a hobby. In 1888, he created a hybrid rose known as the American Beauty rose in his greenhouse
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a building in which plants are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to very large buildings...
. He co-founded Bassett & Washburn, which became the first florist to distribute the rose. Commercial horticulture was a relatively new field as Americans had only gained significant disposable income late in the 19th century. One of their largest clients was the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States. Commonly referred to as the Burlington or as the Q, the Burlington Route served a large area, including extensive trackage in the states of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri,...
, who purchased the roses for use in their dining car
Dining car
A dining car or restaurant carriage , also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a full-service, sit-down restaurant....
s. The company was the largest employer in Hinsdale in 1900.
Bassett purchased a plot of land on the corner of Oak and Sixth Street in late 1898 and commissioned contractor Ole Anderson to build it for $25,000. The original architect is unknown--although the plans to the building are intact, there is no indication of who drew them. Enock Hill Turnock remodeled Bassett's former house, "Bonnie Heights", and may have continued a working relationship with Bassett. Given Bassett's occupation, the house was nicknamed the "American Beauty" House by local residents. The house was completed in December 1899. The third floor of the house features a ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
where the Bassetts held dancing parties. The house was principally built in the Colonial Revival style, but also features elements of Queen Anne Style
Queen Anne Style architecture (United States)
In America, the Queen Anne style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts was popular in the United States from 1880 to 1910. In American usage "Queen Anne" is loosely used of a wide range of picturesque buildings with "free Renaissance" details rather than of a specific formulaic style in...
. Bassett retired in 1907, passing the business to his son-in-law
Son-in-Law
Son-in-Law was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and an influential sire, especially for sport horses.The National Horseracing Museum says that Son-in-Law is "probably the best and most distinguished stayer this country has ever known." Described as "one of the principal influences for stamina in...
, and moved to Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1910. Bassett's grandson Egdar Washburn lived in the residence until 1913, when it was sold to Quaker Oats treasurer Robert Gordon. The house was renovated in 1942.