Kit and Catalog Housing in Indiana
(Room JW Grand Ballroom 9)
06 Jul 18
4:30 PM
-
5:45 PM
America faced a housing crisis of remarkable proportions in the decades leading up to World War II. Builders, architects, federal and state officials, and manufacturers attempted to address the problem in many ways. One unusual response was the kit house: an assembly of all necessary lumber, pre-cut, with materials, scale plans, plumbing, wiring, and heating units all shipped by rail to the nearest location to the consumer. Several major retailers offered kit housing; though not the first or most prolific in the field, Sears & Roebuck is popularly associated with the idea. These often charming houses offered the consumer “instant style” and reflected popular architectural trends of the interwar years. Any competent, average carpenter could assemble one. Indianapolis and Indiana were in the right place at the right time for the trend, growing economically and with a robust rail network in the 1900-1940 period. Learn about kit and catalog houses, including their types and styles. Also, the talk will cover their competition from local builders, as the construction industry attempted to provide quality housing to the United States’ expanding middle class. Did kit houses and catalog designs follow through on their promise of affordable housing? Attend this PowerPoint talk and find out!