The 1950s Lustron Houses Hiding In Ohio Were A Futuristic Answer Once Upon A Time
By April Dray|Published January 21, 2020
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April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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!
