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 home itself that was being pitched — it was the whole suburban lifestyle.
“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 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.”
Mobile home parks from 1958
This is typical of the most modern mobile home parks — one reason mobile homes are America’s new way to live!
Up-to-date furnishings in every room come with your mobile home
No extra financing needed for appliances, draperies or furniture
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!
MORE: Vintage home style: Vinyl floor tiles in square patterns from the 1950s
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Right now… see the most modern furnishing styles in The New Mobile Home
MORE: See the mid-century modern Scholz Mark ’60 home from 1960, inside & out
All ready for the bride! Furniture & appliances included
Today’s easy-to-own mobile home: Complete with furnishings, brand-name appliances (1965)
MORE: What did a 1950s suburban house look like? Feast your eyes on this fab prefab home built in 1958
4 Responses
Question; Do you know the length of the average single-wide small two-bedroom trailer was in 1957-58? Curious, 40 or 50 feet?
I have a 10 x 40 mobile home manufactured by J_S mobile homes 18033 S. santa fe ave. compton ca. trying to find info on manufacture for building dept. thanks for any help
I have a 1957 Pan Am mobile home. I am looking for door latch (es). The home is set in a gated campground in Washington State. Has original wood through-out the kitchen and both bedrooms (that is why we have not taken it out and replaced it with something newer and more modern). Up grades have been minimum and sparse. Want to keep it’s fine lines. I have plans to update single pane windows with double pane sliders. Three overheads vents that don’t work are to be converted to skylights. The original stove top and separate oven were replaced by a range/oven piece (looks great with it’s black and stainless). I am looking for info on salvage yards and suppliers that still manufacture obsolete parts. Stay safe
what was the ceiling made of in the 50s and 60s mobile homes and did they contain asbestos