The house that occupies the Customliner site in Herndon Woods, Virginia.
Photo taken Summer, 2008.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Then ....
(Washington Star, 2/19/55, reprinted with permission from the D.C. Public Library, copyright Washington Post.)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
At Last, The Pictures!
After a brief wait in the DC Public Library's Washingtoniana Division, I was permitted entry into the back rooms to view the authentic pages of the Evening Star.
In order to handle the documents, I had to store all my worldly possessions (except camera) in a locker and sign a copyright approval form, which was then approved by the librarian. I was instructed in the art of turning the ancient newspaper pages to avoid tears. (The proper method was a bit like holding a newborn baby.)
Among Home Show ads and a photo of the much-touted "Outdoor Room," was one picture of the Customliner. This would be as close as I would ever get to seeing the subject of this blog in person. That made the trip and the permission forms worthwhile.
Customliner pictures featured above. Below, some other Evening Star photos of interest.
An advertisement for the Home Show's entertainment. One of the musicians, Connie B. Gay, would go on to own radio station WGAY, a Washington-area easy-listening station for many years.
(Washington Star, Feb. 18, 1955, reprinted with permission of the D.C. Public Library, copyright Washington Post)
Other Home Show attractions included a canine fashion show and a live wedding ceremony! (Washington Star, Feb. 18, 1955, reprinted with permission of the D.C. Public Library, copyright Washington Post)
In order to handle the documents, I had to store all my worldly possessions (except camera) in a locker and sign a copyright approval form, which was then approved by the librarian. I was instructed in the art of turning the ancient newspaper pages to avoid tears. (The proper method was a bit like holding a newborn baby.)
Among Home Show ads and a photo of the much-touted "Outdoor Room," was one picture of the Customliner. This would be as close as I would ever get to seeing the subject of this blog in person. That made the trip and the permission forms worthwhile.
Customliner pictures featured above. Below, some other Evening Star photos of interest.
An advertisement for the Home Show's entertainment. One of the musicians, Connie B. Gay, would go on to own radio station WGAY, a Washington-area easy-listening station for many years.
(Washington Star, Feb. 18, 1955, reprinted with permission of the D.C. Public Library, copyright Washington Post)
Other Home Show attractions included a canine fashion show and a live wedding ceremony! (Washington Star, Feb. 18, 1955, reprinted with permission of the D.C. Public Library, copyright Washington Post)
Monday, February 23, 2009
54 Years Ago This Week
More than a half-century ago this week, the 1955 Washington Home Show was well under way. Newsworthy highlights included:
February 19 - Opening day meant coverage from two area radio stations. Listen to four hours of music broadcast live from the show by Fred Fiske of WWDC. Join Johnny Batchelder for the official opening and interviews on WRC.
February 19 - 27, 10:30 pm nightly - Let off a little steam at the evening square dance festival. You could be invited onstage to practice your steps with local professional and amateur square dance teams! Prefer to watch? You'll be treated to "unique, unrehearsed square dances by some of the most able square dancers in the metropolitan Washington area."
Sources:
Radio Highlights
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 19, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post
page 21.
Square Dancing At Home Show
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 20, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. G2
February 19 - Opening day meant coverage from two area radio stations. Listen to four hours of music broadcast live from the show by Fred Fiske of WWDC. Join Johnny Batchelder for the official opening and interviews on WRC.
February 19 - 27, 10:30 pm nightly - Let off a little steam at the evening square dance festival. You could be invited onstage to practice your steps with local professional and amateur square dance teams! Prefer to watch? You'll be treated to "unique, unrehearsed square dances by some of the most able square dancers in the metropolitan Washington area."
Sources:
Radio Highlights
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 19, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post
page 21.
Square Dancing At Home Show
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Feb 20, 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. G2
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hope in the Star
The photo librarian at the DC Public Library reports that there are images of the Washington Home Show in the February, 1955 editions of the old Evening Star newspaper. She says if I can supply her with the dates and pages where the images appear, she can locate the original edition from the library's collection.
Little did I know that John, a resourceful follower of this serial, looked up Home Show images in the Evening Star on his own. Even more exciting, he believes one of the homes pictured may be the Customliner! John, thanks again for adding so much to the quest.
Next up: an appointment at the library.
Little did I know that John, a resourceful follower of this serial, looked up Home Show images in the Evening Star on his own. Even more exciting, he believes one of the homes pictured may be the Customliner! John, thanks again for adding so much to the quest.
Next up: an appointment at the library.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Check-In
I contacted the photo librarian at the D.C. Public Library today. She's going to review the library's collection from the now-defunct Evening Star newspaper to see if there are any from the 1955 Washington Home Show.
I also placed an ad on a local online site, looking for anyone willing to share their photos of the Herndon Woods area in the 1950s. Maybe a long shot, but worth trying.
We'll see what happens.
I also placed an ad on a local online site, looking for anyone willing to share their photos of the Herndon Woods area in the 1950s. Maybe a long shot, but worth trying.
We'll see what happens.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A New Take on the Image Search
Having looked at selections of Fifties clip art online this evening, I've come to the conclusion that it just doesn't fit the mood of what I've written here so far. I've got to find pictures of Herndon Woods, the actual Customliner itself, and even the '55 Home Show!
Tonight, I applied for membership in some online groups. Hopefully, I can post some ads seeking people who might have such photos in their collections. Tomorrow, I'll get back in touch with the photo librarian at the D.C. Public Library. And then, see if I can locate the last owners of the Customliner.
Just when I thought I was out of ideas ...
Tonight, I applied for membership in some online groups. Hopefully, I can post some ads seeking people who might have such photos in their collections. Tomorrow, I'll get back in touch with the photo librarian at the D.C. Public Library. And then, see if I can locate the last owners of the Customliner.
Just when I thought I was out of ideas ...
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Wrap-Up, Part 3: National Homes
National Homes sat atop the prefabricated housing market at the time the Customliner was built in 1955. In September, 1956, the company produced its 100,000th home and had operating plants in LaFayette, Indiana; Horseheads, New York; and Tyler, Texas.
In 1959, the company was named in a federal antitrust lawsuit. The Justice Department sought to require National Homes to sell off seven recently acquired, smaller prefab firms. This acquisition brought National's market share from 25 percent to 38 percent. In contrast, according to the government, no competitor had more than 5 percent of the market share.
Acting assistant attorney general Robert Bicks wanted to "check [National Homes'] incipiency in what appares to be a tendency to monopoly in this infant industry." (Unfortunately, at this writing I have been unable to determine what became of this lawsuit.)
In early 1961, National celebrated completion of its 200,000th home. At that time, a new model was shipped to and assembled in Seabrook Park Estates in Lanham, Maryland, about 40 miles from the Customliner in Herndon, Virginia. The Washington Post described this home as a "7-room, split foyer Colonial with 1511 square feet, including an 18-by-24-foot recreation room and a 2-car garage." This model was marketed to home buyers looking to trade up, and was the only one of its kind in the D.C. area.
That same year, National Homes presented a children's playhouse, one-third the size of a normal-size house, to the District of Columbia Children's Center in the name of the president's daughter, Caroline Kennedy.
After building more than 650,000 homes across the U.S., National Homes fell on hard times in the 1980's. In August, 1984, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners rejected a proposed 25 percent reduction in worker wages and benefits. The union had previously accepted two wage concession proposals. But National Homes president David R. Price (son of founder Jim Price) argued the latest reduction was the only way to keep the Lafayette plant open. The plant was subsequently closed in December, 1984.
In 1990, the Lafayette Journal and Courier ran a series on the rise and fall of National Homes. Fourteen years after the plant closing, former workers retained unpleasant feelings and memories over the company’s demise. These include belief that a quarter century of work resulted in a negligible monthly pension, the fact that the plant would have been closed whether the union had agreed to the wage/benefit reductions or not, that the company wasted a lot of money, and that David Price seldom communicated with his company’s workers.
Sources:
National Completes 100,000th Home
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Sep 15, 1956; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. 50
National Homes Named In Anti-Trust Suit
The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973); Nov. 21, 1959; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. B13
National Home Milestone Marked
The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973); Jan 14, 1961; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. B1
Mapquest
A Doll's House Is Built for Caroline
The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973); June 16, 1961; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877-1992) pg. D3
Homes Withstand Test of Time
Lafayette Journal and Courier, Aug. 16, 1990, pg. A1.
Workers Rejected 25% National Homes Pay Cut
Lafayette Journal and Courier, Aug. 14, 1990, pgs. A1 and A3.
In 1959, the company was named in a federal antitrust lawsuit. The Justice Department sought to require National Homes to sell off seven recently acquired, smaller prefab firms. This acquisition brought National's market share from 25 percent to 38 percent. In contrast, according to the government, no competitor had more than 5 percent of the market share.
Acting assistant attorney general Robert Bicks wanted to "check [National Homes'] incipiency in what appares to be a tendency to monopoly in this infant industry." (Unfortunately, at this writing I have been unable to determine what became of this lawsuit.)
In early 1961, National celebrated completion of its 200,000th home. At that time, a new model was shipped to and assembled in Seabrook Park Estates in Lanham, Maryland, about 40 miles from the Customliner in Herndon, Virginia. The Washington Post described this home as a "7-room, split foyer Colonial with 1511 square feet, including an 18-by-24-foot recreation room and a 2-car garage." This model was marketed to home buyers looking to trade up, and was the only one of its kind in the D.C. area.
That same year, National Homes presented a children's playhouse, one-third the size of a normal-size house, to the District of Columbia Children's Center in the name of the president's daughter, Caroline Kennedy.
After building more than 650,000 homes across the U.S., National Homes fell on hard times in the 1980's. In August, 1984, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners rejected a proposed 25 percent reduction in worker wages and benefits. The union had previously accepted two wage concession proposals. But National Homes president David R. Price (son of founder Jim Price) argued the latest reduction was the only way to keep the Lafayette plant open. The plant was subsequently closed in December, 1984.
In 1990, the Lafayette Journal and Courier ran a series on the rise and fall of National Homes. Fourteen years after the plant closing, former workers retained unpleasant feelings and memories over the company’s demise. These include belief that a quarter century of work resulted in a negligible monthly pension, the fact that the plant would have been closed whether the union had agreed to the wage/benefit reductions or not, that the company wasted a lot of money, and that David Price seldom communicated with his company’s workers.
Sources:
National Completes 100,000th Home
The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959); Sep 15, 1956; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. 50
National Homes Named In Anti-Trust Suit
The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973); Nov. 21, 1959; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. B13
National Home Milestone Marked
The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973); Jan 14, 1961; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post pg. B1
Mapquest
A Doll's House Is Built for Caroline
The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973); June 16, 1961; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The Washington Post (1877-1992) pg. D3
Homes Withstand Test of Time
Lafayette Journal and Courier, Aug. 16, 1990, pg. A1.
Workers Rejected 25% National Homes Pay Cut
Lafayette Journal and Courier, Aug. 14, 1990, pgs. A1 and A3.
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