Seven Lustron Homes
Minneapolis, MN
In the late 1940's and early 1950, almost 2500 pre-fabricated porcelain-enameled steel homes were constructed by the Lustron Corporation. The vision of a Chicago entrepreneur, Carl Strandlund, these Lustron homes were designed to be the homes of the future, inexpensive and built to last, they were to serve the needs of the postwar housing shortage.

Utilizing vast amounts of post-war surplus steel, Strandlund planned to create a model for an easy to buy, easy to construct, and easy to maintain all-metal home.

His vision however, took a turn for the worse as orders piled up, production lagged behind, costs soared, and unable to meet demands, eventually defaulted on government loans, causing the bankruptcy of the company in 1950.

Over the years, the Lustron homes have become a symbol of postwar America and now enjoy a following among their owners that borders on fanaticism.

Please enjoy this sampling of Lustron homes in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They exist on two blocks on the city's south side, two homes on the 4900 block of Cedar Ave. and five on the 5000 block of Nicollet Ave. Each home has its own character, some are modified, some are pure Lustron.

'A New Standard for Living': The Lustron Home
The story of Lustron homes
Growing up in a Lustron Home
The Lustron Houses of Oak Park, Michigan
Lustron Luxury: An owner's story
Steel Framing History

return to all things mike dust...