In the mid-20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright invented the concept
of “Usonian” houses, which were based on the utopian ideals of
simplicity, economy, and convenience. The first step in
constructing a Usonian house was to lay down a concrete platform
with cast-in heating pipes. Next came a grouping of brick
supporting screens, creating a chain of linked boxes. The brick
supports were topped by a series of flat concrete roofs, with a
higher roof over the living-dining area and lower ones over the
bedrooms and bath. The difference in roof heights allowed extra
light to come in through clerestory window strips. Light also
streamed in through floor to ceiling windows, usually
overlooking a garden or pool. One of these Usonian designs was
built on the outskirts of Joplin, ¼ mile west of Stone’s Corner
on Highway 171. Joplin architect Robert Braeckel adapted
Wright’s plans to construct this ultra-modern dwelling for
Stewart and Naomi Ruth Stanley in 1950. All steel construction
supported Carthage limestone walls and