Lustron House, 1949, Americus

This early prefabricated cottage was one of just 22 Lustron houses built in Georgia. Lustron, which was patented by Roy Strandlund, was the name for the enameled steel panels used in the construction of these houses. It was promoted for durability and ease of maintenance, and since it was essentially a kit home, consistent pricing was an important factor, as well. The prototype for the houses was known as the “Esquire” model and designed by architects Roy Blass and Morris Beckman for the Chicago Vitreous Corporation.

The Americus Lustron was built by the Hav-A-Home Lustron franchise in nearby Albany. It’s an example of the 1085-square-foot Westchester Deluxe two-bedroom model and was designed by Roy Blass.

According to the National Register of Historic Places, “The interior of the house features a living room/dining room area, a kitchen, utility room, a bathroom, two bedrooms, and closet space…Exterior and interior wall corners are rounded and contribute to the clean, streamlined look of the Lustron home. Design features include built-in steel wall furniture and closet space with sliding doors. The built-in unit between the living room and front bedroom contains a mirrored bookcase on one side and a mirrored vanity and counter top with drawers and doors for closet space on the other side…Between the dining area and kitchen is a buffet with shelves and drawers on one side and kitchen cabinets with shelves and drawers on the other side, all finished in porcelain enameled steel. To assist in food serving, a counter pass-through is placed in this unit…The kitchen features the original enameled-steel cabinets, however, the combination dishwasher/clothes washer was removed.”

National Register of Historic Places

4 thoughts on “Lustron House, 1949, Americus

  1. Raleighwood Rob's avatarRaleighwood Rob

    Hi Brian… After you posted “Lustron Houses of Albany” I was reminded that my great grandmother once lived in this Lustron house on Oak Avenue in Americus. I was quite young at the time but visited her often there. I still drive by it regularly. I have my mom searching for any interior photos she may have taken back then.

    Thanks for your work and dedication. ~ Rob

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  2. Pingback: Lustron Houses of Albany | Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown

  3. Sue McGowan Lewis's avatarSue McGowan Lewis

    Love this! My brother was born in Americus and my dad owned the Rees Park Chapel Funeral Home back then. He was born 1949 and I was 7 and loved Americus. It had a lot of interesting architecture, like the Windsor Hotel and many other spots. I’d never seen or heard of this one. Fascinating!!

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