Adding Illustrations

Somehow, I can't let go of the idea that the Customliner crumbled into obscurity six years ago. Is there no one but me who sees some historical value in the life of one prefab home?

Well, maybe.

At any rate, my next step is to add some pictures to this humble blog. At best, maybe I can find some pictures of the Customliner under construction in the D.C. Armory. At least, perhaps some pictures of comparable homes and events in the D.C. area around the same time.

I've already spoken to the photograph librarian at the D.C. Public Library. She thinks they might have some photos of the 1955 Washington Home Show in their collection. She suggested I contact her after the holidays to arrange an appointment.

Suggestions from readers are also welcome!

Inside A National Home

I was finally able to reschedule my visit with Virginia Clarity this week, and go inside a National Home!

As expected, Ms. Clarity’s house has seen many changes since it was built in 1955. A living room has been added, as well as a mud room in the back. The original living room now serves as the dining room, and the “dining el” has been removed in favor of a larger kitchen. Wooden kitchen cabinets long ago replaced the original, which were made of white metal.

The original windows, with the exception of one, have also disappeared. That includes the “window-wall,” which was meant to enhance the “indoor-outdoor living” idea. Ms. Clarity noted that condensation often formed on the window-wall, causing the wooden slots below to rot.

The Clarity home was the least expensive model offered in Herndon Woods. It has one bathroom and no garage or carport, and no basement. (Compare this with the more luxurious Customliner, which featured a remarkable 1 ½ baths and carport.) Ms. Clarity had previously told me she purchased her house to be closer to her parents, but I hadn’t realized that the house built by her father is right next door! On the other side of that house is one once owned by her brother.

Viewing neighboring homes from Ms. Clarity’s back yard, it’s easy to see that the developers’ intention to blend the houses into their wooded setting has survived. It’s a grey winter day, but, even with the leaves off most of the trees, it's easy to miss the other houses perched at different angles in the distance. Many of the trees standing today were also here when ground on Herndon Woods was first broken.

Sadly, Ms. Clarity predicted that her house will eventually be torn down for something new. Any chance of saving the homes for their historical value? Probably not, she predicts. With the arrival of the Customliner’s replacement and other newer homes, the integrity of the original subdivision has been lost.

Getting into my 21st century car, I come upon an unexpected link to the Herndon of the Fifties: Ms. Clarity’s driveway, which once backed onto a simple country road, is now off one of the town’s busiest streets! With some careful maneuvering, I’m able to turn the car around so I can exit head first.

Wrap-Up, Part 2: Herndon Woods

The Herndon Woods subdivision makes its first appearance in the Washington Post and Times Herald on September 5, 1954. On that day, the paper announced that National Homes' "Ranger" model, located in Herndon Woods, would be featured in its "Homes of '54" exhibition.

The "Ranger" was well received by the house-hunting public. The Post reported that the Herndon population was "temporarily doubled when 2000 visitors came to town" to see the model.

In 1954, Herndon Woods won the Merit Award in the National Homes competition for outstanding community planning. The community was recognized for preserving its "natural wooded setting." In 1955, Herndon Woods won the Special Merit Award from Parents Magazine for the best planned home project for families with children.

Herndon Woods still exists today. Overseen by the Herndon Woods Homeowners Association, it includes many of the Customliner's original brethren as well as 33 townhomes. The wooded landscape survives, although some residents have faced termite problems as a result. It's still possible to get the feeling of peaceful, country living, even though 21st century office buildings loom at the other end of the main thoroughfare.

Sources:

Final Entries Announced in the Homes of '54 Exhibit
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Sep 5, 1954; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1992)
p. R1

'Homes of' 54 Doubles Size Of Va. Town
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Sep 19, 1954; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington
p. R2

Display Ad 89 -- No Title
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Apr 24, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1992)
p. K-11

Local Project Honored for Site Planning
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Sep 18, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991) p. G15

Herndon Woods Gets Merit Award For "Family Living"
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Oct 31, 1954; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991) p. R10

Final Entries Announced in the Homes of '54 Exhibit
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Sep 5, 1954; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1992) pg R1

Herndon Woods Homeowners Association Website.

Wrap-Up: The Fate of the Major Players in the Customliner Saga

The National Homes Customliner was built inside the D.C. Armory as part of the 1955 Washington Home Show. Designated a featured attraction, it was viewed by more than 50,000 people.

At the end of the Home Show, the Customliner was moved to the Herndon Woods subdivision in Herndon, Virginia. A picture of the Customliner appeared in the Washington Post and Times Herald on March 27, 1955.

The Customliner remained in Herndon Woods until 2002. A demolition permit for the property was issued by the Town of Herndon on May 15 of that year. Although the actual date of demolition is not known, the first inspection of the home that now occupies the site took place on July 11, 2002.

The annual Washington Home Show continued at the D.C. Armory through the remainder of the 1950s and into the 1960s. Attractions for 1956 included "'Back Yard Vacationland,' which included a home with 'three standing walls' and an entire back yard meant to show 'homemakers how to stretch the family living area into the back yard.'" In 1957, attendees viewed a "Teen-Age Haven" (masculine and feminine versions) and a "'Miracle Kitchen sponsored by RCA Whirlpool to demonstrate possible future mechanical kitchen innovations.'"

Following the 1961 event, the next Washington Home Show was canceled over a dispute between Home Show sponsors and the District Armory Board. At that time, the Board implemented a $1 parking fee as a way to help finance a new stadium. According to James Pearson, executive director of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Washington, exhibitors balked at investing in displays when patrons might boycot the show over the new parking charge.

In 1963, the Home Show was replaced by a "Parade of Homes" which featured newly constructed homes on a street in northern Virginia.

Sources:

Home Show House Features Outdoor Living
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 13, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. G4

Save on Short Lengths
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Mar 27, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. G10

Colleen McKnight, Special Collections Librarian
Historical Society of Washington, D.C.

Building Inspections
Town of Herndon, Virginia

Conference on Fairfax County History

Anyone in the Fairfax area mid-November might be interested in attending the Fourth Annual Fairfax County History Conference. It will be held Saturday, November 15 from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm at the main campus of Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.

Speakers include Chris Martin, Ph.D., whom I've mentioned on this blog.

Sessions include "Seven Corners: A Post World War II Transformation" and "All Roads Lead to Fairfax: Tourist Courts and Diners." 20th century architecture and Fairfax County's agricultural heritage will also be discussed.

Registration is $30 and includes parking, breakfast and lunch.

For more information, contact Lynne Garvey-Hodge at 703-322-1811 or lghassoc@erols.com.

Technical Difficulties ... Please Stand By

I had to cancel my date with Virginia due to an incredibly persistent cold which has been going strong for the past couple of weeks.

In between long stretches tucked under the covers watching "Judge Judy," I logged on to Barbara Sher's bulletin board. To my delight, I discovered the ever-helpful regulars had provided suggestions for improving my blog. What better motivation could there be to get out of my pajamas and back on track?

Tomorrow I'm heading back to the Fairfax City Library with some fresh, meaty questions for the folks at the reference desk. And I'll reschedule my visit with Virginia Clarity next week.

Coffee and Local History

Virginia Clarity and I met in a pleasantly empty Starbuck's last Tuesday. The conversation was so enjoyable, 90 minutes passed unnoticed.

According to Ms. Clarity, the Customliner met its end approximately seven or eight years ago. Small by today's standards, it was being used as a rental property at the time of the final sale. The new owners had it torn down and built a new house in its place. And so, apparently, the Customliner lived out its life in Herndon without much ceremony.

In the forty-five years it was here, the Customliner and its neighborhood saw tremendous changes to their hometown. Now a D.C. suburb of approximately 22,000 people, Herndon in 1955 was a farming town of about 2000. Ms. Clarity recalled shopping in downtown Herndon and knowing everyone in the stores. Hardly a likely event now.

Federal government workers were already settling in Herndon in the mid-fifties. There was no Beltway at the time, and Metrorail was decades away, but workers could still get to the city by taking the W&OD railroad and streetcars into Washington. The W&OD still hosts commuters today - on bicycles.

Ms. Clarity purchased her Herndon Woods home a few months after the Customliner's arrival, and still lives there today. She says Herndon Woods was the town's first subdivision, advertised as reasonably priced housing friendly to couples with young children. Her reasons for buying her home: a desire to return to Herndon, reasonable cost, and to be close to her parents.

Ms. Clarity also recalled the financial inequalities that existed between the sexes at the time. If both spouses worked, only the husband's income would be considered in financing a home. After all, the woman would be giving up her job to keep house and take care of children! It also would have been difficult for a married woman to obtain a credit card in her own name. Why would she need one when her husband had an account? Single "working girls" might have an easier time getting credit, but in Ms. Clarity's experience, they would "go beserk" and spend beyond their means.

It seems hard to believe now, but credit cards would not have been readily available in 1955. In fact, Ms. Clarity says her parents did not get their first credit cards -- for gas -- in 1968, and she did not get any of her own until that same time. And credit limits were much lower and payment terms stricter. (Are we heading back in that direction today?)

The way Herndon Woods was built also reflects a different time. Instead of clearing the lot, existing trees were preserved. And the houses were built at different angles so that the yards formed an unfenced common area which was used for neighborhood get-togethers on weekends. A novel idea when so many neighborhood yards are now boxed in by fences.

My next step is to visit Ms. Clarity's home, and perhaps get some photos!

Hope on the Horizon

The past couple weeks have been discouraging. I hadn't heard back from Ms. Clarity. Fred Fiske was kind enough to reply to my letter, but he only recalls broadcasting from the home show, not any details. Mid-Century Mike's contact did not come through.

I'd been close to giving up this mission. Then, Virginia Clarity replied to my e-mail! We are tentatively scheduled to meet September 30. At that time, perhaps, all will be revealed.

Cultivating a Friendship

I'm trying to set up a coffee with Ms. Virginia Clarity. I suspect she may have some interesting things to say about what life was like back when the Customliner touched ground. In an e-mail, she says she doesn't recall much celebration for the house's arrival. In fact, she believes a town councilman at the time referred to the housing development as "Herndon's first slum." Hmm.

I've also mailed off a letter to Fred Fiske at WAMU radio.

Interesting information to follow soon. I hope.

RIP Customliner

This afternoon, I sent an e-mail to Carol Bruce, president of the Herndon Historical Society. She in turn forwarded it to the society vice president, aptly named Virginia Clarity.

Ms. Clarity, who has been a resident of Herndon Woods since 1955, reported that the Customliner is no longer standing. It has been replaced by a large, white house.

After all this effort, I feel I should drive by and scatter flowers on the house's front lawn. What a sad way to end the saga.

Now I can turn my attention to conducting a post mortem. Who made the decision to demolish the Customliner and why? Did it bring excitement to the little town of Herndon when it first arrived? How long did it survive in Herndon Woods?

This will be like investigating the death of a friend.

Fred Fiske

Having been unsuccessful at finding a phone number or e-mail for Fred Fiske, I've decided to write him a traditional business letter and send it in care of WAMU radio.

I can't remember the last time I wrote a formal letter on paper. What business style would be best? Block? Modified block? Does anyone even know what those terms mean anymore?

Hopefully, Mr. Fiske will have some insights on what the Home Show was like, and how the Customliner construction was received.

A Trip to Herndon Woods

I've been sitting at my computer trying to compose an e-mail to Fred Fiske. But it doesn't seem to be happening tonight. So instead, I shall update you, dear readers.

I reached Chris Martin last Monday. Unfortunately, he didn't have a lot of information on the Customliner. He suggested the answer might be found by knocking on doors or talking to senior citizens who might remember the event. He encouraged me to continue, noting that I would find the answer, it would just take some time.

Knocking on strangers' doors? That will take time. Most of the time will involve me getting up the nerve to do it.

Or so I thought, until a fellow musician and I took a field trip to Herndon Woods on Tuesday. This National Homes community still thrives on Austin Lane. A vintage car is even parked on the street. And through the large front windows of one of the homes, we noticed someone was inside.

"Should we go ask?" my friend says.

"We can't just walk up to their front door and knock!" was my first answer. But ... it could make a good story for the blog. And so we did.

Far from having the door slammed in our faces, my friend and I were greeted by a gracious young couple. They clearly had not been born when the Customliner arrived in Herndon, and didn't know much about their home's history other than it was built in 1955. But they did refer us to two long-time residents who might know.

Neither of these people were home at the time. But I took down their addresses and will attempt to locate phone numbers for them. And get in touch with Fred Fiske.

Once again, it's time to get on the phone.

Some New Angles

The dog days of summer are upon us, blunting my enthusiasm for the search.

On a quiet Sunday afternoon, I returned to the historical Washington Post, looking for any relevant articles I might have missed. Nothing new to be found between February 27, 1955 (when the Home Show closed), and December 31, 1956 (an artibrary date of my choosing.)

I did get a whiff of how big the Home Show was when I browsed the radio listings from February 19, 1955. At 1:00 pm on station WWDC, deejay Fred Fiske hosted "Prize and Party:" four hours of music from the Home Show.

Is this the same Fred Fiske who is now a senior commentator for WAMU radio? Would he care to share his insights?

At 1:45 pm, station WRC broadcast the Home Show opening, with Johnny Batchelder "handling the interviews."

My other promising source is "Mid-Century Mike." Mike blogs on Modern Capital, where he keeps track of mid-century modern homes and neighborhoods surrounding Washington, D.C.

In the July 13 posting, Mike describes a 1955, two-story home in Herndon Woods that was designed by architect Charles Goodman and built by National Homes. As of August 1, the home is for sale for $250,000.

Could this be it?

I e-mailed Mike and asked if he knew whether this was the property that had been built for the Home Show. He has not seen anything in his research, but he does know someone who lived in the house in the 1970s and has asked her what she knows. Needless to say, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

So with the weekend drawing to a close, it looks like I have some more phone calls to make.

Meanwhile, check out Modern Capital for more information on mid-century modern architecture in D.C., and Charles Goodman, the architect who designed the Customliner (and other models) for National Homes.

Sources:

Modern Capital

The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 19, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. 21

Library of Congress Stumped; Two Leads Come Up Dry

With no word yet from Dr. Martin, I made some phone calls in an effort to locate the Feb., 1955 Homebuilder's Monthly.

As suggested by the Fairfax County librarians, I got in touch with the Library of Congress. The reference librarian, Arlene, told me she would look into it and call me back. She gave me her direct extension as well. Funny ... I once worked in Congress and made official requests to the Library of Congress all the time. It seemed a little strange to have a staff member looking up something for me personally.

As promised, Arlene called back promptly, with "surprising" results. The Library of Congress did not have Homebuilder's Monthly in its collection, so she had done a search of academic library collections. Only one, Princeton University, contained partial holdings, but they only went back to 1961-1962. Well, at least that saves me from fruitless phone calls to university libraries around here.

Arlene suggested contacting the National Association of Home Builders. The Fairfax County librarians had suggested that too, so that was the next step.

"Our library is for [association] members only," was the first response I got when I called NAHB. However, when I explained what I was looking for, they put me in touch with their librarian anyway.

I explained my request again to the NAHB librarian, Linda. She told me she would look into it and call me back. She asked for my name and phone number.

"And what organization do you represent?"

I felt completely naked as I told her I was representing myself. I briefly wished I was still in Congress representing Senator So-and-so. I was sure my lack of clout would send the request to the bottom of Linda's work pile. So it was a pleasant surprise when she called back later the same day!

Unfortunately, Linda only found two individual issues in the association's library and neither were the one I was looking for. She did note that "people felt differently about archiving then." Seemed like an ominous note to my prospects for finding this publication. But I can't let this scavenger hunt divert me from my mission: to locate the Customliner!

My thanks again to Arlene and Linda.

Phone Call Made!

Dr. Martin now has my somewhat nervous request on his office voice mail. Hopefully, I will hear from him next week.

Meanwhile, I'll attempt to locate the February, 1955 issue of Home Builder's Monthly. If anyone has access to this volume, or knows where I might find it, please let me know!

Facing the Guru

I've had a key piece of information for almost a week now. But I haven't followed up on it yet.

It's a phone number for Historic Fairfax City. One of the reference librarians suggested I use it to get in touch with Christopher Martin, whose dissertation is cited in the previous posting. "He loves to talk subdivisions," the librarian said.

I could be one step away from learning the fate of the Customliner! And yet the phone number has languished in my notebook while I've been busy teaching music, cleaning house, feeding cats, etc.

I really haven't been that busy. It's that all-too-common fear of sounding stupid and of wasting an expert's precious time. I could have come up with excuses not to call for the next year or longer. But today, I read Hycho's inspiring comment. Thanks, Hycho, for helping me get out of my funk!

Tomorrow is my usual day to visit a local horse rescue organization. But tonight, I'm entering that phone number in my cellphone directory. Between mucking out stalls and brushing donkeys, I'll be putting in my first call to Dr. Martin. Stay tuned!

Resuming the Search

After a cold, a vacation, and, OK, quite a bit of foot-dragging, I am back on the trail of the 20th Century custom home.

First stop, the closest library branch. They referred me to the Virginia Room at Fairfax County's main library. I should have thought of that myself. The Virginia Room specializes in local history.

The main library recently moved into a spacious, inviting building (with ample parking). The Virginia Room has its own floor, above the echoes of crying babies and parents helping older children look for books. I spot someone at the information desk and explain what I'm looking for.

She is clearly intrigued with the subject matter. She's already familiar with National Homes, the company that manufactured the house. She also tells me that in 1965, streets were renumbered throughout Fairfax County. This may make it difficult to find an exact location for the house in question, which I'll now refer to as the Customliner.

Undaunted, she brings in two other librarians to assist in carrying out the mission. Before long, I am loaded down with reference books to review, websites to look at, and associations to contact.

I spent two hours flipping through the various books and getting lost in the past. In a dissertation on housing in the D.C. suburbs between 1946 and 1960, I found that the Customliner - the first of its kind, at least in this area - was reconstructed on its Herndon Woods site within 48 hours. Its arrival in Herndon Woods was greeted "with much fanfare."

Much to my disappointment, that was the end of the Customliner discussion. However, there's more information to be had in the February, 1955 issue of Home Builder's Monthly ... if I can find it.

Source:

Tract-House Modern: A Study of Housing Design and Consumption in the Washington Suburbs, 1946-1960 by Christopher T. Martin. Pages 259-260.

Still Searching ...

I have discovered that the 20th Century Home was moved to Herndon, Virginia, by March 27, 1955. Unfortunately, there was no information on the exact address. It may be time to call in the aid of a reference librarian.

I'm sorry to have missed the Home Show of 1955. For 80 cents, you could take in hourly demonstrations, witness a real wedding, and listen to the music of Jimmy Dean and his Texas Wildcats. And parking was free! Where would you find free parking these days in D.C.?

Sources:
Save on Short Lengths
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Mar 27, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. G10

Display Ad 3 -- No Title
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 26, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. 4

How I Got the Idea, Part 2

The next day, I was in front of the search screen for the historical Washington Post, with no idea what to look for.

At one time I'd seen an article entitled "Homes of '55," so I decided to start there.

The search yielded 2813 hits. Yikes! When in doubt, start with the first page. I clicked on "Display Ad #96," dated January 2, 1955.

On the left side of the page were three pictures of neat but modest dwellings. The heading announced "No Matter What Your Income ... There's A National Home for You!" The pictured homes represented three models built by National Homes of Lafayette, Indiana. The Delta, Cabot, and Avalon models were all available for less than $10,000, including the cost of the lot.

What more could I learn about National Homes, which boasted production of "one out of every 48 homes being built in America"? I did a search on "National Homes."

This time, I learned that "a 60-foot Custom Line National Home" was to be built inside the D.C. Armory as part of the 1955 Home Show.

According to the article, the model, to be known as "A Home for the 20th Century," would have three bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, carport, "gas air conditioning and kitchen equipment," and would be "furnished in contemporary style by the Hecht Company." Dimensions: 45 feet long by 25 feet deep.

When the home show closed on February 27, the house was to be moved to Herndon, Virginia.

Did the Home for the 20th Century make it into the 21st Century? I was resolved to find out!

Sources:
Display Ad 96 -- No Title
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Jan 2, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991) pg. AW6

Model Home To Be Built in 3 Days
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 6, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877 - 1991)
pg. G4

How I Got the Idea, Part 1

Not long ago, I was trying to find a music store in an unfamiliar part of town. In the process, I made an unscheduled detour into the Fifties.

Actually, I was looking for a place to turn around. What I found was a house that seemed frozen in the Eisenhower Administration. The same was true of the car parked in the carport.

Instantly, my mind was racing with questions. Did the inside of the house evoke the same historical feeling as the outside? What had this neighborhood looked like when Ike was in office? Who owned the house now? The same family?

This isn't the first time I've felt such curiosity about these kinds of places. But I've never pursued this interest. After all, I'm busy with my private music studio and weekend performances. Plus my husband and I have a house that cries out for decluttering and a good paint job. So I usually let the curiosity fade and go on to other things.

Not this time.

When I returned home, I decided to post my experience on Barbara Sher's bulletin boards. It's a community of incredibly supportive people, and I knew someone would have some ideas on how I could expand my interest.

As expected, I received several terrific suggestions. The first one was to simply look at newspaper articles and ads from the 1950's. I already knew that I could access historical issues of the Washington Post through the public library website. I could do that between lessons ... from the comfort of my own home! Who knew it could be so easy?

So that's where the journey began.