Introducing The Lustron Home
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Pre-Fab was really big with things such as gas stations, diners and other type of buildings. Indeed the Lustron company got into the pre-fab housing business because of it's work with building that sort of gas station.
The prototype for the Lustron
was the Armco-Ferro House, built for the Century of Progress International Exposition (1933 to 1934 World's Fair). It is now in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Five of the prototype houses from the fair were bought by the developer of Beverly Shores, and moved there as a publicity generator. See the link below for a NY Times article.
was the Armco-Ferro House, built for the Century of Progress International Exposition (1933 to 1934 World's Fair). It is now in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Five of the prototype houses from the fair were bought by the developer of Beverly Shores, and moved there as a publicity generator. See the link below for a NY Times article.
Another link
for the web page of the Armco-Ferro House at Indian Dunes National Lakeshore site.
for the web page of the Armco-Ferro House at Indian Dunes National Lakeshore site.
Odd coincidence
I just went to an estate sale two weeks ago in a Lustron Home. There are a few in Riverside, Illinois. This one was grey with blue trim.
I had to go visit this one...
This Lustron home had seen better days, but the original design was unmistakable. Just loved the built-in metal china cabinet. Sweet.
Quite honestly, it had the charm and warmth of a prison cell. You can use refrigerator magnets anywhere. The kitchen was unforgiving when it was time to replace appliances with those of another dimension. Newer electrical wiring was surface mounted.
Fun? Yes. Unique and Americanaesque. After seeing one would I ever live in one? ...Kids, I love vintage but this one just ain't for me...
I just went to an estate sale two weeks ago in a Lustron Home. There are a few in Riverside, Illinois. This one was grey with blue trim.
I had to go visit this one...
This Lustron home had seen better days, but the original design was unmistakable. Just loved the built-in metal china cabinet. Sweet.
Quite honestly, it had the charm and warmth of a prison cell. You can use refrigerator magnets anywhere. The kitchen was unforgiving when it was time to replace appliances with those of another dimension. Newer electrical wiring was surface mounted.
Fun? Yes. Unique and Americanaesque. After seeing one would I ever live in one? ...Kids, I love vintage but this one just ain't for me...
hooverwheelaway
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Check your libraries...
This is a wonderful DVD - I've also seen it aired on PBS. --see link-- The video really explains in depth, the idea behind the Lustron, and why it fizzled out.
In the end, it was politics that killed the Lustron. Quite a sad story, actually.
I know of a few that are scattered around Milwaukee. They would periodically pop up in a newspaper article.
I'd be sure they've been talked about on this forum before now.
I'd love to live in one, but without a basement, well... impractical.
There's also a great book about the Lustron... again, check your library.
www.lustron.org
This is a wonderful DVD - I've also seen it aired on PBS. --see link-- The video really explains in depth, the idea behind the Lustron, and why it fizzled out.
In the end, it was politics that killed the Lustron. Quite a sad story, actually.
I know of a few that are scattered around Milwaukee. They would periodically pop up in a newspaper article.
I'd be sure they've been talked about on this forum before now.
I'd love to live in one, but without a basement, well... impractical.
There's also a great book about the Lustron... again, check your library.
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www.lustron.org
That brings back some memories....
When I was looking for a house in the Chicago area around Palatine in 1995, my agent showed me one of these houses. I thought it was very neat, and certainly a throw back, but it wasn't for me. They were probably asking $125k for it back then
When I was looking for a house in the Chicago area around Palatine in 1995, my agent showed me one of these houses. I thought it was very neat, and certainly a throw back, but it wasn't for me. They were probably asking $125k for it back then
hooverwheelaway
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There was one for sale in Milwaukee about 2-3 years ago. It was in an 'okay' part of town, I think it went into default. I called and inquired about the listing price, it was $47,000, I think.
There were two, right next to each other. It was the tan one on the right that was for sale.
There were two, right next to each other. It was the tan one on the right that was for sale.
whirlcool
Well-known member
What part of Riverside, IL were those Lustron homes in (street name?)I have relatives who lived in Riverside when I was growing up so I am very familiar with the suburb. You can't hardly touch a home there now for less than a million!
Those ARe Rather Large Lots
For such small homes.
Have to say one would be tempted to take them down and build something new and slightly larger.
Also am not a huge fan of such overgrown trees that close to the house. Just waiting for a good wind to blow them the wrong way.
L.
For such small homes.
Have to say one would be tempted to take them down and build something new and slightly larger.
Also am not a huge fan of such overgrown trees that close to the house. Just waiting for a good wind to blow them the wrong way.
L.
Interesting thread Launderess, Thank You. It's worth a read if only to realize what a true Starter home was for people of my parents Generation. They made it though, we moved into new "diggs" in 1968 (3BR,ranch), it was the house my parents would finish out their days in. Sometimes now it seems newly- weds are entitled to a McMansion. I think thats part of the housing crisis.
whirlcool
Well-known member
We watch those real estate shows (like House Hunters) on HGTV and we often ask ourselves how in the hell can a couple in their mid 20's afford an $600K house? What in the hell do they do to make so much money at such a young age?
The house we are in now is just one step above a starter home.
We bought it intentionally because I'll be retiring within the next two years and we want something cheap to operate. We've had big houses before and I grew tired of constantly having to work on it.
The house we are in now is just one step above a starter home.
We bought it intentionally because I'll be retiring within the next two years and we want something cheap to operate. We've had big houses before and I grew tired of constantly having to work on it.
I watch House Hunters all the time also and wondered the same thing. But then in the U.S. I think it is much easier to get a large mortgage than it is in Canada and that is also why so many people are defaulting on their mortgages.
Gary
Gary
whirlcool
Well-known member
A friend of ours is an investment broker. I asked him if he sees these kids with money. He said "Sure, all the time". I asked him where the money comes from.
His response was "Mommy & Daddy, you wouldn't believe the amount of money parents give their kids these days. Usually when they graduate college or get married it's not uncommon for a kid to come in with $400K or more to invest. But then there are those who had it, blew most of it and them come to me to try to regain it!" Even more spectacular is when Mommy & Daddy buy their kids a home to live in. That happens too.
His response was "Mommy & Daddy, you wouldn't believe the amount of money parents give their kids these days. Usually when they graduate college or get married it's not uncommon for a kid to come in with $400K or more to invest. But then there are those who had it, blew most of it and them come to me to try to regain it!" Even more spectacular is when Mommy & Daddy buy their kids a home to live in. That happens too.
Well, helping the children purchase a home is not all that uncommon.
Before the days of easy credit and no income check mortgages (now gone, thank goodness), persons had/have to put up 15% or more for a home. Not many youngsters then or now have that kind of dough lying around.
In parts of the NYC area, a simple starter home starts at around 350K, and that isn't even in some of the best areas, and or for a really great home. At those prices, you are looking at over 50K upfront money, just for the down payment. This does not include closing costs and the rest of the cash outlay for moving into a new home. So unless one has been very careful all one's rather young life,and or has been lucky in finances, mummy and daddy, and perhaps the grandparents are going to have to chip in.
IMHO far better to give a newlywed couple funds towards their first home, than tons of silly wedding gifts that will either go unused or are not required.
Before the days of easy credit and no income check mortgages (now gone, thank goodness), persons had/have to put up 15% or more for a home. Not many youngsters then or now have that kind of dough lying around.
In parts of the NYC area, a simple starter home starts at around 350K, and that isn't even in some of the best areas, and or for a really great home. At those prices, you are looking at over 50K upfront money, just for the down payment. This does not include closing costs and the rest of the cash outlay for moving into a new home. So unless one has been very careful all one's rather young life,and or has been lucky in finances, mummy and daddy, and perhaps the grandparents are going to have to chip in.
IMHO far better to give a newlywed couple funds towards their first home, than tons of silly wedding gifts that will either go unused or are not required.
magic clean
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A Lustron home was demolished in Sarasota last year. It was at the corner of Datura & Osprey for those familiar. Now the lot sits empty.
The house was is pretty good shape, so I'm unsure as to what caused its demise.
The house was is pretty good shape, so I'm unsure as to what caused its demise.
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
Beech Aircraft
experimeted with an all alluminum house in 1946 called the Dymaxion.
1946 Beech builds aluminum Dymaxion House:
After WW II, Beech Aircraft, with the help of architect Buckminister Fuller, built an all-metal house as a housing option for returning GIs. This unique house was suspended on a center post, which permitted it to be rotated to absorb solar energy.
This three-ton aluminum structure had two bedrooms, two baths and living/dining room--the house was never mass produced. The retail cost at that time would be $6,500, or the cost of a Cadillac
www.hfmgv.org
experimeted with an all alluminum house in 1946 called the Dymaxion.
1946 Beech builds aluminum Dymaxion House:
After WW II, Beech Aircraft, with the help of architect Buckminister Fuller, built an all-metal house as a housing option for returning GIs. This unique house was suspended on a center post, which permitted it to be rotated to absorb solar energy.
This three-ton aluminum structure had two bedrooms, two baths and living/dining room--the house was never mass produced. The retail cost at that time would be $6,500, or the cost of a Cadillac
Dymaxion House: Innovative Design & History
Explore the Dymaxion House at The Henry Ford Museum, showcasing innovative design and sustainable living concepts from R. Buckminster Fuller. Get tickets!
www.hfmgv.org
Presenting the house with all markerboard walls-all members can draw or leave messages to each other on the large dry erase markerboard walls-the walls are what most markerboards are made from.Great fun!!Hold meetings in any room!And you can use magnetic stick up visual aids with your "Lustron" presentation!Sort of interesting-and the all alumiun home that looks like something from a UFO movie set.The Lustron reminds me of a trailer type home with its small rooms.Sorry-want something bigger.
Riverside
Don't remember exactly where the sales was in Riverside. However it was West of Harlem not far (I believe slightly North) from the Burlington tracks.
When visiting Riverside I just set the GPS and go. As anyone will know, Riverside is a dizzing maze. Prior to GPS I would get very lost very fast.
Don't remember exactly where the sales was in Riverside. However it was West of Harlem not far (I believe slightly North) from the Burlington tracks.
When visiting Riverside I just set the GPS and go. As anyone will know, Riverside is a dizzing maze. Prior to GPS I would get very lost very fast.
