Mobile homes: See vintage models from the trailer trend of the 50s & 60s

Back in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the American Dream could be had — affordably, fully-furnished, and in style — if you wanted to buy a mobile home.

As one ad from the start of the mobile boom noted, “Everything is modern as can be! Smart furnishings, planned by decorators, are the kind you’re proud to show your friends.”

And it wasn’t just the homes themselves that were being pitched — it was the whole suburban lifestyle. The marketers promoted the mobile home park’s neighborly feel, community resources and activities.

“The new mobile home parks are fine neighborhoods, with beautiful landscaping, recreational facilities like swimming pools. Outside in the yard, you can set out a white picket fence… plant a rose garden… do some informal entertaining.”

And it worked. These manufactured homes were parked across the country in “trailer estates” by the millions, which — as it was later noted — often negatively impacted the infrastructure of the area due to congestion and inadequate utilities.

Still, as of 1958, the marketing literature noted, “Now three million people, including young marrieds, engineers, graduate students, construction and industrial workers, professional and military men, retired couples, live in mobile homes.”

Showing off the wonderful life at mobile home parks (1958)

This is typical of the most modern mobile home parks — one reason mobile homes are America’s new way to live!

This new, fast-growing type of suburb really makes for good living. There’s the beautiful landscaping. Recreational facilities like the swimming pool. In the backyards, you’ll see lilac trees, rose gardens, people grilling steaks with the neighbors.

Belonging to a community like this means the privacy — and pride — of owning your own home. Plus smart modern furnishings, the latest-style major appliances, draperies, and carpeting. All this is included in the price of your home, and you may pay only $76 a month.

You can have a waist-level range and oven, garbage disposal, large-capacity refrigerator. There’s a complete bathroom with tub and shower. Other features are automatic heat, air-conditioning, washer-dryer, and television if you like.

Today’s mobile homes are very roomy too. Many measure 10′ by 40′ or more. You can get extra living space with a porch or cabana.

ALSO SEE: 150 vintage 50s house plans used to build millions of mid-century homes we still live in today

1950s mobile home parks

Up-to-date furnishings in every room come with your mobile home

No extra financing needed for appliances, draperies or furniture

A pink mobile home with a patio cover

Trailer homes from 1959

You’re completely “at home” the first day! Attractive suburban life: There are many new mobile home parks with beautiful landscaping, recreational facilities, even swimming pools.

In these friendly communities, you have your own back yard for barbecues, sunbathing, gardening. Buy a mobile home now — have your tulips in bloom this spring!

Ad from the Mobile Homes Manufacturers Assn (MHMA) and the Trailer Coach Association of the West (TCA)

ALSO SEE: Vintage concrete block walls offered privacy & light for mid-century modern homes in the 50s & 60s

Modern housing trend: Luxury mobile living

Now — three million Americans have chosen this modern housing trend: The mobile home

This is the “luxury year” for mobile living. Today’s mobile home is longer, wider, plusher, with more comforts and conveniences than ever before.

A home that’s all modern… all furnished… all your own!

With a Mobile Home, you can start enjoying comfortable, up-to-date living in your own home now . . . this week. And without buying a stick of furniture!

Here’s why: the home plus complete furnishings and appliances for every room are all included in one easy-to-pay price. You may pay only $75 a month or less. There’s no heavy, long-term debt.

Today’s mobile homes are even more modern than many ordinary homes. They have smart, decorator-styled furnishings, contemporary in design.

A kitchen a woman can really be proud of — with a new large-capacity refrigerator, built-in range and oven, twin sinks, Formica counters, disposal.  There’s a complete bathroom with tub and shower. Automatic heat, air-conditioning, automatic washer-dryer, built-in TV if you choose.

MORE: See the vintage card tables & folding furniture almost everyone used to have

More and more young couples, military and professional men, students, industrial and construction workers, and retired couples are moving into mobile homes. You can find dealers in your area in the classified ads of your newspapers or yellow pages of your phone book under “Mobile Homes,” “Trailers-House,” or “Trailers-Coach.”

Vintage trailer home park in 1955

Is your bathroom this modern?

MORE: Vintage accordion folding doors divided rooms & filled doorways

Here’s suburban living without long-term debt

A growing living trend with good-looking property, up-to-date homes

It’s a good life in these modern friendly communities. The new mobile home parks offer beautiful landscaping, recreational facilities, even swimming pools in some places.

You have your own backyard — for anything from croquet to growing your own peonies. Mobile homes have the best features of a new ranch home. Smart furnishings, the most modern kitchens.

And mobile homes are roomy — many measure 10′ by 50′. You pay for your home, furnishings, and appliances in one price. It may cost you only $75 a month or less. You avoid large long-term debt.

MORE: 50 mid-century modern carpet styles from the ’50s & ’60s: Vintage wall-to-wall flooring in all its glory

The most up-to-date kitchen comes with the mobile home

New business opportunities in mobile home parks

Last year 1 out of 10 housing starts was a mobile home. For people who want to own and operate or to invest only, mobile home parks offer steady, increasing returns.

New modern parks are needed today in cities and towns of all sizes throughout the United States, from those of a few thousand to those of a million or more.

Parks of various sizes are needed — 10 to 50 units, 75 to 100, 250 and up. Investment in large parks offers outstanding profits — up to 25%. Or if you’re planning to retire, owning and operating a small park gives you a fine source of supplemental income.

Moreover, it provides a personal interest for you, as well as a good place to live and meet people. Send NOW for information on planning and building a modern park.

MORE: What did a 1950s suburban house look like? Feast your eyes on this fab prefab home built in 1958

Mobile homes in the 1960s

Your own new home and today’s most modern home furnishings and appliances. All this is included in the one easy-to-pay price of a mobile home. You may pay only $75 a month or even less.

And here are the other up-to-date features of this new living trend:

1. Your major appliances. You can have a built-in or conventional oven-range and large capacity refrigerator-freezer, a latest-model automatic washer-dryer.

2. Smart furnishing styles — a wide variety from which to choose. Living room and bedroom furniture, drapes, carpeting, lamps, even TV can be included.

3. Really convenient kitchen designs. Twin sinks with disposal, counter areas and cupboards in just the right places, along with your up-to-date appliances.

4. Attractive bathrooms — tiled, complete with tub and shower.

5. Automatic heat– and air-conditioning, if you like.

6. Plenty of room! Mobile homes measure up to 10′ x 50′ (and more). You can have from 1 to 3 bedrooms.

7. Modern friendly suburban life.

8. Your own yard, with room for a good-sized lawn, a garden, barbecues, even a white picket fence!

9. Easy “shopping”! Browse through new homes at local dealers, listed in the yellow pages of your phone book and classified newspaper section under “Mobile Homes,” “Trailers-House,” or “Trailers-Coach.”

All over the country, you’ll find new mobile home parks … beautifully landscaped, complete communities. Many have their own shopping centers.

Mobile Homes Manufacturers Assn., Chicago, Illinois – Please send 1960 Edition MOBILE LIFE, with information on models of 75 manufacturers, mobile home parks and living. 

A trailer park swimming pool from the 60s (1965)

Right now… see the most modern furnishing styles in The New Mobile Home

Vintage 60s mobile home parks in Rhode Island and California

1960s mobile home neighborhood fun and recreation (1966)

Enjoy carefree living in a V.I.I. mobile home! (1960)

MORE: See the mid-century modern Scholz Mark ’60 home from 1960, inside & out

All ready for the bride! Furniture & appliances included

Mobile single-wide home with patio cover and carport

Today’s easy-to-own mobile home: Complete with furnishings, brand-name appliances (1965)

NOW SEE THIS: See 125 vintage 60s home plans used to design & build millions of mid-century houses across America