Once you have familiarized yourself with the layout of a Lustron, we suggest you take a tour of our Timeline, where you can explore its fascinating History. Learn about its porcelainized steel precursors; the meteoric rise of its inventor Carl Strandlund; the political intrigues and manipulations that led to Lustron’s untimely demise, and the status of recent efforts to document and preserve these lovable metal houses. Once you’ve perused the Timeline, click on the links below for more detailed information about the history of Lustrons.
- To learn more about the scintillating history of Lustron Houses, click here.
- Click here to peruse information on the post-war housing crisis.
- Curious about inventor extraordinare, Carl Strandlund, the innovative businessman who almost realized his vision of creating “the General Motors of the housing industry?” Click here for more information.
Perhaps you want to learn about the different Models of Lustrons or maybe you have questions about the “Lustron System” (i.e. all the parts and how they work together)?
Now that you’ve “met” the Lustrons are you ready for more technical information on how to care for your Lustron? Hop on over to Help for Lustrons.
April 5th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I grew up in the Luston at 1622 Broadlawn in Davenport Iowa. I’ve visited it recently and it still looks great. Thanks for keeping up the interest!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:39 am
I just turned 60! I grew up in the Lusteron at 6531 MARQUETTE Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. I was pleased to see it pictured on the Lusteron Connection website. My parents purchased the house and had it built. I was still an infant at the time but did grow up there and started elementary school living there. I have driven by it many times when back in St. Louis and also have relatives who still live a block over.
We have all the family 1950’s BW photos taken in and outside of the house still, as well as color ones and extachrome and kodachrome 35 MM slides. We also may have some 8MM home moves taken there
I would be very pleased to share these photos and memories with the current owner and the readers and peservationists of Lusteron Homes!
Your site brings back lots of fond memories of my childhood, “growing up Lusteron!” My Godfish that sat in a small bowl on the lusteron bathroom vanity that was built in, were named “Cleo” and “Figaro”! Our part Beagle dog was named “Snooky” We also had a minature Poodle named “Sir Prize”.
We also were friends with the owners of the other Lusteron Home on Marquette two doors up. The wife who lived in that house was my babysitter at tim
Keep up historic house preservation. I am working on a historic preservation of an over 100 year old house and I am very aquainted with the dedication it takes for us to preserve the home history of our country and hopefully not allow people to remuddle!
John Zaharias
March 26th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Susan - That’s so funny, my Grandmother lived in that home at 1622 Broadlawn from about 1999 to 2005. Definitely had a lot done to the inside, though - the kitchen was ripped out and re-done On the one hand, sad that it’s not the original kitchen anymore. On the other hand, it really opened up the kitchen space (and the cabinets were really gross when we bought the house).
April 21st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
i am very interested in these homes. will they ever become available to purchase again” if so when? if they are already available, where can i purchase them? how much will they cost?
December 26th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
I WAS ONE OF THE DESIGNERS OF THE LUSTRON HOME IN COLUMBUS OHIO WHEN IT WENT INTO FULLTIME PRODUCTION…IF I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE LUSTRON HOME I WILL TRY TO DO SO…I AM 92 NOW AND AM CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR AND DONT GET OUT MUC.
January 16th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
A Lustron home just came on the market here in Asheville, NC.
It’s a 2/1 on .81 of an acre in a nice area. Price is $150K.
Contact me if anyone is interested! 828-691-0412
March 11th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
I grew up in Hannibal Missouri and 2 doors down the Kinkade’s were our neighbors lived in a Lustron Steel house and garage still there today - the basic Lustron with steel garage on Hilliside Drive - on the 4 thousand block !
April 12th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
A Lustron home just came on the market here in St. Charles, MO: 1157 Tompkins. Price is $106,000. (I’m not the realtor, just happened to stumble on it.)
May 9th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
We are contemplating purchasing a Lustron and wonder if the walls are insulated . The real estate listing only sales insulation in attic.
September 26th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
I have a nice 2 br lustron @ 1005 grant st lake Geneva wi 53147 2 car attached garage, corner lot,
10 blocks from lake. $130,000.
Fortuity@ genevaonline.com
February 3rd, 2013 at 4:12 am
My parents were the original owners of the Lustron at 4705 Sycamore Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. I grew up in that house, leaving it in 1978, when I married and moved West. Loved the house and its uniqueness.
March 31st, 2013 at 6:03 pm
I went by the Lustron house in Hillsboro, ND today. Look like it had deteriorated some since I last saw it a few yrs. ago. Roof looked to be in good shape but there was a big rust stain from the roof to the top of living room window. There was a few similar stains. It has been a hard and snowy winter so think this might be a factor.