When you think about the future, what do you picture your home to look like?
In the 1950s, many Ohioans thought the future looked like steel, uniform homes. The Lustron Corporation, based in Columbus once upon a time, was once a nation-wide solution to a housing shortage. Today, few of the homes remain, scattered throughout the U.S. and Ohio. If you're familiar with the history behind these homes, you know just how special it is to spot one of these in an Ohio neighborhood.
What was once “The House America Has Been Waiting For,” is now a historic, one-of-a-kind home you don't see too often.
Pictured is a historic Lustron home in Whitehall, Ohio, which is maintained by the local historical society.
Made of enamored steel, these mass produced homes were thought to be the answer to the housing shortage after World War II.
For many veterans, affordable housing was hard to obtain after returning home. Carl G. Strandlund established the Lustron corporation in the late 1940s with the help of a government agency that was formed to assist industry during the Great Depression, according to the Ohio History Connection.
Designed to be easy to maintain, these prefabricated model homes featured several built-in storage units, an efficient heating system and even a dishwasher-washing machine combo.
There were three different models of Lustron houses; the Westchester, Newport, and Meadowbrook model.
Saving space and easy upkeep were the primary goals, as well as fast production and affordable pricing. Pictured is the original couch in the Whitehall Lustron home.
The final average price was about $10,500, according to the Ohio History Connection.
Approximately 2,600 Lustron homes were sold but many orders were left unfilled. The company was unable to pay back the loans and keep up production, causing the company to close in the early 1950s.
Today, it's unclear exactly how many of these homes are left in the U.S. and in Ohio, as not every Lustron home is registered. At least 100 are still standing in Ohio, many of which are still owned and lived in—but that's really a question for both Ohio historians and realtors.
The easiest way to tour a Lustron home would be to pay a visit to the Ohio History Center in Columbus, also known as the headquarters of the Ohio History Connection.
You can visit the Ohio History Center on Wednesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This massive museum tells the story of Ohio and features a full-size Lustron home you can walk through and explore on your own.
Admission to the Ohio History Center is $15 for adults, $9 for children ages 4 - 12 and $13 for seniors. (Note: College students are $13 with a student ID.)
Did you know about these historic gems hiding in Ohio? Have you ever explored a Lustron house before? Share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us!
For more unique places to learn about Ohio history, check out our previous article: 15 Historical Landmarks You Absolutely Must Visit In Ohio.
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