Yesterday I blogged about reusing boxcars as housing. I was not the first to think of this. I found some images online to share with you. Boxcars are about 10' by 50' so they provide 500 square feet of space.
During the depression in the 30s. boxcars were used as emergency housing for the unemployed. Here is an excerpt from Modern Mechanix magazine about boxcar villages in 1936:
Past is prologue as boxcars are converted into housing during that last unfortunate event when so many couldn't make their rent or mortgage payments and were foreclosed out.
"A very useful community can be built from the bodies of old box cars, as they are in the most cases very well built to carry grain and other perishable bulk commodities, and hence make easy buildings to convert into livable homes. Being tight they are easy to heat. A winter’s supply of wood for the community can be had by wrecking other cars."
"AN INNOVATION in living quarters is represented in a boxcar village which has recently sprung up in New York City. Inhabitants of this unique village pay only $3 a month rent, or $6 a week for room and board—reasonable enough in these hard times. Each boxcar—there are 40 in number— is equipped to sleep four men with respectable comfort, and has a wood stove, washing accommodations, and a carpet.
When good times come back—which won’t be long now—the village will probably be abandoned."
Last year I did a blog entry about using shipping containers as studios, but they have also been used as housing. I found these photos online:
If you google "recycled boxcars" there are numerous entries about reusing the durable and strong flooring boards and other parts. It is all interesting to me.
Mail and more:
Sharon Walworth of Rhode Island recently gifted me with this stash of 5 cent stamps. I love them. Thank you for your thoughtfulness Sharon. I love a surprise and you did surprise me.
Speaking of fives (and aren't I always speaking of 5s?), Gaye Medbury gifted me this tin 5 this past weekend. Thank you Gaye. You are a sweetheart.
Last but not least, Sharon Fraser from Canada sent this wonderful envelope to me.
Love the reuse of boxcars for homes and studios! Never would have thought it possible.
Posted by: Maria | Monday, 07 June 2010 at 10:21 PM
Oh, if only I could find a way to squeeze one of those boxcars into my back yard as a studio!
See you Saturday!! :)
Posted by: Shelly Massey | Tuesday, 08 June 2010 at 02:52 PM
i've always thought a box car would make an awesome studio!
Posted by: kecia | Friday, 11 June 2010 at 07:36 PM
What a treat to discover my envelope on your blog Ginny!
I'm already counting the days to Ingrid's workshops...then another little wait for Keith's!
Thanks for the all the great learning opportunities.
Posted by: Sharon | Friday, 11 June 2010 at 08:31 PM