The United States entered a remarkable era of prosperity after World War II ended. Returning soldiers set their eyes on the suburbs, and the Lustron Corporation was established to meet their demand for housing. Nearly eighty years have passed since it was founded, but the company’s old homes maintain a fanatic following! I’ve written about Lustron homes in Muncie and Anderson, but a recent trip to Richmond revealed five in the Rose City.
Continue reading “The Lustrons of Richmond”
Lustron houses were early modular homes built entirely of enameled steel. I wrote about a pair of them in Anderson, Indiana, last week, unsure of any more nearby. Sure enough, I was alerted to a third mere minutes after the post went live! I’m glad that Cunningham’s Law still rings true.
Continue reading “Another Anderson Lustron”
Most Midwestern cities boast an impressive array of old houses, but few capture my attention quite like a Lustron. Built in the years following World War II, Lustron houses echo the futuristic dreams of the past while enduring as symbols of innovation! Believe it or not, Anderson, Indiana, is home to two of them.
Continue reading “Lustron living in Anderson”
Many Midwestern cities have streets lined with houses full of familiar features. My hometown of Muncie, Indiana, has a great slate of historic dwellings, but few stand out like a Lustron. From their iconic pastel hues to their sleek, steel panels, the unique homes represent a bygone era’s vision of the future! Believe it or not, five Lustron houses still stand within the city limits.
Continue reading “Muncie’s Lustron legacy”
I’m in a lot of local history groups on social media. Some of the most poignant posts come from people who’ve made the bittersweet realization that all the schools they once attended have been demolished. If that’s all it takes to become a graybeard, I’m well on my way- at least sort of. In 2020, a big chunk of Yorktown Middle School was torn down. A new building occupies the site today.
Continue reading “Yorktown Middle School: A farewell to familiar grounds”
Two rural schools nestled in the heart of the Rush County countryside are stark studies in contrast. The weathered tower of the Washington Township Public School in Raleigh is a sad reminder of the ebb and flow of rural life. A stone’s throw away, the Center Township Grade & High School in neighboring Mays stands as a beacon of hope and renewal.
Continue reading “Resilience and renewal at the old school in Mays”
We love our ice cream here in Muncie. Hunnicutt’s and Hum-Dingers have supplied us over the years, not to mention all manner of Milk Houses and Dairy Barns. We could even grab a cone or a cup from a red caboose in the seventies and eighties! It’s hard to believe, but the wayward railcar is still making memories today.
Continue reading “Muncie’s old ice cream caboose”
Last November, my mom and I found ourselves hurtling through the countryside chasing old Long Line towers in Northern Indiana. As we zoomed toward Angola from LaGrange, a weathered schoolhouse caught my eye. I fumbled with my trusty Lumix for a shot, but it wasn’t until we pulled into a Love’s Travel Stop that I got a second chance at a decent picture.
Continue reading “The mystery chapel of Silver Lake”
As a kid, my favorite things to read were coffee table books that described courthouses, cathedrals, and famous shipwrecks. One day, I was given a copy of Oddball Indiana by Jerome Pohlen. The book sensationalized some of Indiana’s offbeat sites more than I cared for, but I read it cover to cover. I was intrigued!
Continue reading “Oddball Indiana”
I’m a hobbyist historian with a penchant for public spaces. I like to focus on courthouses, schoolhouses, and other places where people used to congregate, but sometimes I stumble across a home that catches my eye. One of my favorites is on the old Summers farm in rural Huntington County. Some call it “The Castle1.”
Continue reading “Summers’ castle”
Ted Shideler 