Meaning

Nebeshonee – At the river’s bend – a translated native Winnebago Indian term

Nebeshonee Style Architecture – Nature’s response to change in course – is a style and philosophy meant to harmonize with the natural environment.

Background

Marty Johnson’s grandfather was an entrepreneur, businessman, gentleman farmer and naturalist. He acquired several hundred acres of rolling land north of Rockford, Illinois. The hilly timbered property sat above the Rock River at the bend in the river. He developed it with several home sites and called it ‘Nebeshonee’ which is a Winnebago Indian name for “at the river bend”. The relationships of the hilly topography, limestone bluffs and outcroppings, wooded timber and river front shoreline was a contrast to the adjacent flat prairie farm land surrounding the landscape. During Marty’s early childhood He spent time exploring and roaming these lands. These lasting memories instilled his inspiration and impressions of what Nebeshonee came to be. These lands inspired many of the architectural design typologies you see in the signature Nebeshonee style Architecture.