January 2023

 MARSPA JANUARY 26, 2023, MINUTES

 President Marla Carr welcomed DMARSPA members and guests to the January 26, 2023, meeting.  This is our first time at Hy Vee.
Sherry Wilkinson introduced Steve Stimmel,  who presented a program on Lustron Homes.  Steve’s interest in Lustron Homes began recently.   The homes began in 1948, and Iowa has the largest number of homes.   Steve worked for an architectural firm that designed several schools in Des Moines.  His interest in the design professions and historic preservation began as a young student observing the rebuilding of the University of Iowa campus, the construction of I-80, and the loss of historic resources to urban renewal.   We have 10 homes in Des Moines, some in Windsor Heights, Grimes.  After WW2, there was a huge housing shortage and a fear not enough homes could be built.  Small, cost efficient homes, without garages, on small lots were built.  Round houses, like in Beverdale were also built.   They were between 700 and 1200 feet.  The prime market for Lustron homes was in developing areas of the city.  The small homes might be $4,000 to $5,000 to build while the Lustron homes started at $10,000.  Prefab homes were not a new idea.   The Gold Rush had prefab homes brought by ship.  The precut was the Sear’s homes.  There was variety.  A couple of companies in Iowa existed for pre fab houses.  Carl Strandlund was the founder of Lustron Corporation.   His career started in farm machinery.   He held over 150 registered patents.  One company he worked at in Illinois made products with ceramic panels to put on buildings.  By 1946, he devised an architectural panel that could be bent so edges were interlocked. Panels would be sealed.  Starting at a certain place and working the way down the wall, the walls were formed.   At first, they were meant for gas stations and restaurants, like White Castle.   Steel was in short demand because of the war.  The Lustron Company was founded in 1947 and gone by 1950.   Problem was trying to convince the government to release the steel and apply technology to another market.   So, they developed a dream home very quickly.  They got a huge loan from the government.   The first model was built in Hinsdale, Illinois , in 1946.  The real manufacturing began in a plant in Columbus, Ohio, in 1948 and the peak was 1949.  They were closed by 1950.   By 1949, they had built 150 homes east of the Rockies.  They didn’t have trucks to go beyond the Rockies.  They had a big, fast marketing campaign.    There were lines of people wanting to see the homes when they opened.  Each of these homes had 3,300 parts laid out.  They developed their own semi trailers so parts could be put on in order so they could be taken out in order to be built.  The utilities and slab were put in place by the dealer.  It would take two weeks once the slab was done to be built.  Dealer distribution system was  based on auto distribution.   Skeleton made of steel frames.  The company could not maintain cost control; Senator McCarthy was even involved.   Only made 2800 houses of the 45,000 promised.  What are the characteristics of the houses?  “Luster on steel” porcelain finish, rambler style, single story, slab-on—grade, compact.  No basement.  About 1,000 square feet.  Four standard colors .  Inset entry porch, trellis post/downspout, contrasting roof and trim, living room bay window, aluminum casement and fixed window, square wall panels were other standard features.  Roofs made to look like shingles but were metal, textured porcelain finished roof panels.  Everything was coated with the porcelain so they lasted a long time.   They had two windows on the side for each bedroom; later the design changed to a larger window.  Two models - two bedroom and a three bedroom variant of the Westchester.  Some had a built in vanity, book cases.  The three bedroom option - deleted the porch, larger living room, smaller dining open to living, large rear BR, two small BRs.  Interior had everything built with the porcelain finish; everything was held with magnets.  Heating was forced air adobe the ceiling.  No radiators or grills.  Walls are insulated, embossed wall panels, smooth ceiling panels, Venetian blinds, sliding doors.  Wall panels have embossing.  There was a divider storage wall between the kitchen and dining room, fluted panel accents, cabinet door/drawer pulls.  Kitchen cabinets were sloped.  The floors were asphalt tile and all of the houses had a serial number on an embossed plaque in the laundry, furnace room.  They had a combination “automatic” washer that could be used for clothes and dishes.  Simple exhaust fan in the wall.  The bathroom was wider than the bathtubs so they had to make their own tubs.  Built-in storage since there wasn’t a basement or attic.  They had vanities in the master with a mirror that connected with mirrors in the bookshelf in the living room.  Fixtures provided for bathroom.  Extras - Lustron garage, breezeway and basement.   Only 15 houses survive.  We have #4 built in Des Moines on Chamberlain.  One on Polk Blvd is #2516.  HB Buckham Co. was the regional erector-dealer in Des Moines.  When the first house opened, there were 1800 visitors in one day - July of 1948.  The ownership of the houses were changed quickly sometimes.  Another original house is on 57th Street, #111.  Another house on 53rd is number 545, another west of Drake University #582, one on 63rd, and two on Beaver Avenue.  
Celebration of January birthdays by the singing of Happy Birthday.
Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence.
Lunch
Thank you to our new wait staff.
Introduction of visitors.
BUSINESS MEETING;
    A.  Secretary’s Report: Sherry Wilkinson
        1.  Minutes approved as read.
    B.  Treasurer’s Report:  Sandra Petre - GENERAL ACCOUNT;  Balance on hand                 December 8, 2022, $4688.78.  Deposits:  $1270.00; expenses - Baratta’s -$1220.              Balance on hand January 26, 2023 - $4738.78.  SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT:  Balance             on hand December 8, 2022 - $2172.89.  Deposit -  $307, Interest - .49 cents.                  BALANCE ON HAND JANUARY 26, 2023 - $2480.28.  TOTAL BALANCE ON HAND             JANUARY 26, 2023 - $7219.16.
    C.  Courtesy Report:  Dee Fleischacker - Thinking of you card to Sue Jansen; sympathy     card to family of Grace Green Dickerson.  Answers to puzzle.  
    D.  Old Business:
        1.  Remember to ask friends, newly retired educators to join DMARSPA.
    E.  New Business:
        1.   If anyone would like to join DMARSPA, please see Sandra Petre after the                 meeting.
        2.  Sandra has volunteered to organize a group of people to decorate tables
        with centerpieces and table favors.
        3.  We need to be seeking a new President and Vice President for 2023-2024.
        Any volunteers would be appreciated.
            a.   A nominating committee will be seeking candidates.
        4.  Scholarship applications will be sent out next month.
        5.  Will try to have better parking next meeting.
9.  Cashiers for February - Dee Fleischacker and Liz Benjamin.
10.  Door prize:  Dee Fleischacker
11.  February program - The Underground Railroad and The John Brown Freedom Trail - Gayle Brubaker.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Wilkinson
Secretary