Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Tom Mac Nider House

1959

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

1. Tom Mac Nider House Marker

Inscription. Curtis Besinger, Arch.
Prairie School

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.

Location. 43° 9.076′ N, 93° 11.584′ W. Marker is in Mason City, Iowa, in Cerro Gordo County. Marker is on Rock Glen south of East State Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is embedded in the sidewalk directly in front of the subject house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 Rock Glen, Mason City IA 50401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Harry D. Page House (a few steps from this marker); Arthur Rule House (within shouting distance of this marker); James Blythe House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. George C. and Eleanor Stockman House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joshua G. Melson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); G. Curtis Yelland House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mason City Public Library (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mason City.

Also see . . .
1. Tom MacNider House. This masterpiece of Usonian understatement was designed by Curtis Besinger in 1959. Besinger was twice an apprentice at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Tailesin.

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The house was designed for Tom MacNider, vice-president of the Northwestern States Portland Cement Company which may have been a factor in the choice of oversized concrete blocks as its building material. (Submitted on December 12, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Curtis Wray Besinger (1914-1999). Besinger received his B. Arch degree from the University of Kansas in 1936 and joined the Taliesin Fellowship in the summer of 1939, staying for 16 years, from 1939-1955. After leaving Taliesin, with some angst and misgivings, he taught architecture at KU for 29 years, served as dean, and retired in 1984. While a professor at KU, he was associated with the Fritz and Fabi Benedict architectural practice, Aspen, Colo., and was technical editor and architectural consultant for House Beautiful magazine. (Submitted on December 12, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Tom MacNider House (<i>north elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2016

2. Tom MacNider House (north elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 309 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 12, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.