Bernice L. Wright Lustron House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Bernice L. Wright Lustron House
|
|
Wright Lustron in 2011
|
|
 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 2424 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham, Alabama |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1949 |
| Architect | Koch, Carl and Associates; Lustron Corporation |
| Architectural style | Lustron |
| MPS | Lustron Houses in Alabama, MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000130 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 2000 |
The Bernice L. Wright Lustron House is a special historic home in Birmingham, Alabama. It is made from enameled steel panels. This means the steel is covered with a shiny, protective glass-like coating. The house was built in 1949 by a company called the Lustron Corporation. Lustron houses were prefabricated, which means their parts were made in a factory. Then, they were shipped to the building site and put together. This house is one of only a few Lustron homes ever built in Birmingham. Another one, the John D. and Katherine Gleissner Lustron House, is right next door!
Contents
What is a Lustron House?
Lustron houses are very unique. They were only made for about two years, from 1949 to 1950. In total, only 2,495 of these homes were ever built. Today, about 2,000 of them are still standing. Many of these remaining homes have been changed over time. This makes the Bernice L. Wright Lustron House even more special because it still looks much like it did when it was new.
Why are Lustron Houses Special?
Lustron homes were designed to be strong and easy to care for. Their steel panels were rust-proof and fire-resistant. They also did not need to be painted. The company hoped to build many affordable homes after World War II. However, the company faced problems and stopped making houses quickly. This is why they are so rare today.
A Historic Landmark
The Bernice L. Wright Lustron House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the United States. Being on this list means the house is recognized for its special history or architecture. It was added to the National Register on February 24, 2000. This was because of its unique design and how it shows a part of American building history. The house is part of a group of Lustron homes in Alabama that are also on this list.
The "Westchester" Model
The Wright Lustron House is a "Westchester" model. This was one of the popular designs offered by the Lustron Corporation. It has two bedrooms. The house still has its original enameled steel roof and wall panels. Lustron houses came in different colors. This particular house is in a color called "Desert Tan."
