The Good Housekeeping Stran-Steel House

from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair:

A Century of Progress Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition

Highlighting man's scientific progress from dinosaur times to 1933, the Chicago World's Fair received more than 39 million visitors during its two years of activity. The fair covered over eight acres of space and consisted of hundreds of buildings and exhibits. The variety ranged from a demonstration on the uses of light at the Electrical Building, to an animal show at the Enchanted Gardens. With such a large number of things to see from a variety of topics, it would have taken the average family a week to see everything that was available to them. Carrying out the theme of the fair, the Homes of Tomorrow exhibit in the Home and Industrial Arts show illustrated the blend of modern technology and furnishings in affordable and prefabricated housing.

Many homes were commissioned and built especially for this particular area. Various companies tried their hand at creating aesthetically pleasing homes that also had some unique features that combined modern technology and futuristic design. Some were constructed of unconventional materials and guaranteed fireproof while others were more traditional yet hailed modern appliances and features built into the home interior design.

Good Housekeeping magazine and the Stran-Steel Corporation combined their mission to create a home that would be fireproof, pre-fabricated, and also affordable to the average family. Constructed of steel and baked iron enamel, this home was priced in the $7,500 range. Although only 1,300 square feet, it did not feel small due to the high ceilings and windows that give the illusion of spaciousness. Several companies provided interior fixtures for the exhibition homes to help advertise their products.  The Inco Alloys International Inc. (now known as Huntington Alloys a Special Metals Co.) of Huntington, WV provided the bathroom fixtures which are pictured in the Stran-Steel interiors.

This home was part of the 1933 Chicago World's Fair Century of Progress Homes of Tomorrow exhibition and was given the name the Good Housekeeping Stran-Steel Home. In 1934, it was purchased by real-estate developer, Robert Bartlett, and transferred to Palos Heights where it stood until 1992. In spite of community efforts to move the home, it was torn down to make way for urban development. This unusual art deco design was commissioned by Good Housekeeping magazine and the Stran-Steel Corporation.  

The plans of the home call for a large recreation room on the second floor. A terrace covers most of the second floor roof area in a horseshoe shape. Entertaining was also a concern when architects conceived this design. A maid's room is adjacent to the kitchen area and a nice dining room alcove sets off the living room. The rounded bay window with casement windows and wooden blinds are also nice features.

For architects and builders, the Stran-Steel home exemplified a triumph in the use of an innovative building material that, until now, had only been used for skyscrapers and commercial buildings. The Stran-Steel Corporation produced a lightweight steel beam that was more flexible than wood, lighter and twice as strong. The frame of the home consisted of these beams in a network of interlocking joints. Additionally, a key to the steel success as a building material was the use of a specially designed nail that would penetrate the girders to hold wallboard on both the inside and outside of the structure. The result was a sturdy and well insulated building that would withstand even the most severe weather and natural disasters.

More interestingly is the outer covering that was created by the corporation. To provide a fireproof surface, eight by two feet sheets of three inch thick baked iron enamel were used to cover the outside. The baked surface of the material gave the illusion of brick and also helped to insulate the home. Of course, such an innovative and futuristic building material could only work on an art deco structure in the 1930's. The Stran-Steel House is a prime example of the deco influence on the artists and contractors of the day. Incorporating streamlined lines, elegance and technology is a trademark of the 1933 World's Fair. Many of the buildings that housed exhibits or concert halls personified the more cubist Bauhaus influence. Indiana Dunes Park service documents indicate that the original exhibition home was moved to a Chicago suburb after the '33 Fair and was torn down in 1992.  Records indicate its official name was changed to the Stran-Steel Garden Home. 

L-R: Two views of the Stran-Steel Home in WV and one of the home in Wilmette, IL today

A West Virginia couple saw the home at the '33 Fair while on their honeymoon and purchased plans. Built in in 1935, the Darwin Ensign family made a few modifications such as choosing yellow brick instead of baked enamel for the exterior.  This change served a practical and aesthetic purpose as we have learned that the baked enamel covering deteriorated over the years. The garage is not attached to the main house.  Above the two car garage is a one bedroom apartment that was used as the guest house.  The floor covering of the guest house is identical to the rubber flooring used in the original home.  The flooring is blue with a white border design throughout.  A sample of the flooring is listed in the Stran-Steel interiors.  The interior construction of the home in WV is identical to the original Chicago steel/concrete configuration. 

A demo home was built from the plans and displayed in Philadelphia, PA. It is unclear what happened to this home, but assumed that it was also destroyed sometime during the mid 1930's. There is another version of the Stran-Steel home currently in Wilmette, IL.   Former residents believed this was the original home that was moved from the Fair; however, this is not confirmed. According to the Wirt C. Rowland exhibition catalog published in 2005 by the Michigan Humanities Council, in addition to the original fair home, it is believed there were four more Stran-Steel homes built throughout the United States.  If you have any information on additional Stran-Steel homes, please contact us!

More information:

The Good Housekeeping Stran-Steel Home

· Stran-Steel Interior Photos - Originals from Good Housekeeping Magazine from 1933 & 1934

· Stran-Steel Home at IQ Homes

Homes of Tomorrow & Other Links

· Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition Bibliography - Includes images & plans for the original homes

· Floor Plans for Nine of the Exhibition Homes

· Indiana Dunes Park Service Century of Progress Homes site which includes the Wiebolt-Rostone House, Florida Tropical House, Cypress Log Cabin, House of Tomorrow, & the Armco-Ferro House

· The Homes of Tomorrow at Indiana Dunes: 2001 and 2005

· Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana

If you have questions or comments, please contact Dr. Monica Brooks at brooks@marshall.edu

Updated June 2007