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
Monday, February 23, 2009
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.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
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.
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.
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