Updated: July 16, 2026
Rush Creek Village might be the most unusual neighborhood in central Ohio.
Rush Creek Village is a National Register-listed neighborhood of Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired homes at the east end of E. South Street in Worthington. The houses are private, but you can walk or drive through any day, and resident-run tours pop up occasionally.
This Worthington neighborhood is roughly 50 homes, designed and built starting in the 1950s in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. The first house established in Rush Creek Village was for the Wakefield family. The Wakefields had originally wanted Frank Lloyd Wright to design their home, but instead worked with a local architect to design and build their dream property.
Theodore Van Fossen, a graduate of the New Bauhaus school in Chicago, had worked on the construction of many of Wright’s buildings at the time and teamed up with the Wakefields to design their home as well as to plan the 50-lot neighborhood.
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The homes around Rush Creek are distinctive.
The roads and homes mimic the ravines around the neighborhood, almost blending the properties into one another.
The neighborhood was fairly progressive, not only in the design, but also by the fact that there were no racial or religious requirements to live in Rush Creek. As one owner said in a New York Times’ article, “The only discrimination we practice here is architectural.”
The whole neighborhood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, which is a big part of why it still looks the way it did in the 50s.
Throughout the neighborhood, a variety of materials were used to construct the homes.
Some feature mahogany and cypress, while others are built from simple concrete block. Although Rush Creek is just off of the busy N. High Street, you feel miles away when you’re in the neighborhood. It’s quiet and very peaceful, which only adds to the balance between the homes and the nature surrounding them.
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Why You Should Visit Rush Creek Village
Although it’s a residential area, Rush Creek is worth a respectful drive-through or quiet walk. Architecture lovers will appreciate the organic design, thoughtful integration with the landscape, and sense of community history. Just remember: these are private homes, so be mindful as you explore.
If you want more than a walk, Friends of Rush Creek Village, a nonprofit run by residents, puts together occasional tours, and the Worthington Historical Society’s annual Tour of Homes has featured Rush Creek houses. Neither runs on a fixed schedule, so check the historical society’s site for dates.
As you can imagine, buying in the neighborhood is extremely rare.
The homes don’t even always hit the market officially before they’ve already sold. We may not all be able to live in Rush Creek, but you can pop by to have a look. Rush Creek Village is located on E. South Street in Worthington. For more info about the neighborhood, please visit the Worthington Historical Society’s website here.
Rush Creek Village FAQ
Can you tour Rush Creek Village?
The homes are private residences, so most days you’re limited to a respectful walk or drive-through. Friends of Rush Creek Village schedules occasional tours, and the Worthington Historical Society’s Tour of Homes has included Rush Creek houses. Check worthingtonhistory.org for dates.
Who designed Rush Creek Village?
Theodore Van Fossen, a New Bauhaus-trained designer who’d worked on Frank Lloyd Wright construction crews, designed the homes to fit each owner and each lot. He kept at it for decades and died in 2010.
Is Rush Creek Village on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes. The whole neighborhood was listed in 2003, which protects the look of the place.
Where exactly is it?
The east end of E. South Street in Worthington, just off N. High Street. Park respectfully and walk from there.
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