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Posts Tagged ‘Ohio’

What do I think is better than a FEMA trailer?

December 21, 2013

Just about anything would be better than a FEMA trailer, but look at this from Preservation Nation. It is an article about Lustron pre-fabricated homes . . .

“They were literally building the American dream.

In the late 1940s, soldiers returning from World War II dreamed of the idyllic life: a happy family, a lovely suburban home. But the post-war period instead brought a housing crisis. In response, Lustron promised a dream house — signed, sealed, delivered.”

I think these homes are a wonderful example of mid-20th century style, design and ingenuity. It’s like IKEA for the 50s.

“It has a sort of late ‘40s, ‘50s new modern America appeal,” says Megan Wood of the Ohio Historical Society. “And you don’t have to paint it, you can clean the walls with windex, and you can hang things with magnets.”

I think it is interesting that out of 3000 homes built, about 1500 still survive, including the one pictured above, that is in Indiana.

I think these houses are charming and it is unfortunate that dodgy financing forced the company into bankruptcy in 1950.

June, Ward and the Beev

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged design, FEMA, FEMA trailer, history, housing, Indiana, Lustron, mid 20th century, Ohio, Ohio Historical Society, post-war, pre-fabricated, Preservation Nation, style | 2 Comments »

Whose birthday am I celebrating today?

August 23, 2012

We have met the enemy, and they are ours.

Oliver Hazard Perry – who, symmetrically, was born and died on August 23 – 1785 and 1819, respectively.

Born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, with a history of accomplished Naval officers on both sides of the family, Oliver served in the War of 1812, initially supervising the construction of naval vessels and the training of their crews for battling the British on Lake Erie. In 1813 he engaged the British fleet off Put-in-Bay.

The British anticipated an easy victory and the early fighting went in their favor. After losing his flag ship, Perry sailed for the ship Niagara and was able to ram the lead British ship while firing rifles on the crew.The Battle of Lake Erie became a decisive victory for the Americans. As a result, Perry became a popular hero and is memorialized throughout the area.