About 2,680 of these porcelain-steel  homes were produced in America between 1949 and 1950 by the Lustron Corporation in Columbus, Ohio. An enormous facility housed the nine-mile Lustron assembly line. The  ranch style homes usually had two or three bedrooms. Modern appliances including dishwasher were included.

Heating was provided with a ceiling radiant system. They cost about $10,000 - not including the lot.  The homes were shipped on a flatbed and required 350 man hours to assemble. Most were built on a concrete base. The porcelain coated exterior panels came in four colors: 'Maize Yellow', 'Dove gray' 'Surf Blue' and 'Desert Tan'.

 

The Lustron Truck Arrives With A New Home In Williamstown, Mass. 1949
Photo Courtesy of Peter Rogers & Paige Carter

The durable steel homes have survived well into the 21st Century with  minimal maintenance. All interior and exterior panels were of porcelainized steel construction. They were designed for indefinite service without painting. The roof shingles are porcelain-coated steel as well. After 50 years of service, most Lustron roofs have never leaked! Carl Strandlund, an engineer noted for his war time metal working innovations,  was the creator of Lustron Homes.

 

 

 

Carl Strandlund
(1899-1974 )
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

" The House America's Been Waiting For " 
(From 1940's Lustron Advertisement)

 

 

 

Welcome To Lustron Connection . . . Pictures & Stories of Lustron Homes From Across America Lustron Connection is produced from an upstate New York Lustron Home, serial #1692. This voluntary website is a home for all Lustrons. The Lustron pictures and stories you see here are sent in by people from around the USA. Your suggestions are welcome.