Crackerbox houses (Dayton, Kettering, Beavercreek: neighborhood, construction, tornado)

[maplelady]

Can someone define this for me ? Maybe even post a picture example. Would the are around Braddock and LaPlanta be considered crackerbox, or are we talking earlier than these.

[Ohioan58]

Yeah, roughly. Mainly it refers to frame homes under 1200 SF. These seem to have brick trim.

[maplelady]

...and probably on a slab which should not be allowed in tornado alley.

[wrightflyer]

Yup, those are good examples of cracker boxes. They are not unique to the area, as I believe they were popular in the post-war housing boom. Easy to build, cheap construction and high-density equals a builders dream. Don't think there are as many examples out west except perhaps LA? I can think of places in Long Island and around DC that have these style of homes too.

[Ohioan58]

Here is a stretch of homes that I would call crackerboxes (the east side of the street, obviously). I grew up close to here and houses like these always made me feel claustrophobic even to look at.

https://maps.google.com/maps?num=100...ilmington+Pike

[maplelady]

Thanks for the example Ohioan 58.

I think they have a certain charm...very wonder years. Although they were put up quickly to meet the needs of the wartime boom, I see many areas of these in cities all over Most of NE and midwest US and Canada. Many seemed to be well cared for and in stable communities. I think looking at many near Patterson Park, built by Haverstock and Zengler et. al are very charming. There are some sweet houses in the Yorkshire Place area. It is conceivable that the first family who bought these homes from the builder could still own them.

They seem pretty small to us today, but so many were well raised in those homes, with larger families that we have today.

Life got very good very fast for Americans. Look at the short span of time of housing development say from 1947 to 1970 and the sprawling American dream homes in Brittany Hills type of home.

My impression of Dayton is that it is a picture perfect example of life in America in the past 150 years. it also seems to be more than just a smaller Cincy. i thnk it has a unique identity.

[wrightflyer]

Originally Posted by maplelady

It is conceivable that the first family who bought these homes from the builder could still own them.

They seem pretty small to us today, but so many were well raised in those homes, with larger families that we have today.

My grandparents built a house similar to these back in 1958 Poughkeepsie, NY ($19,000 for the house!) and my grandmother still lives there. 4 kids, 2 parents for 6 total occupants in three small bedrooms and 7 rooms total, including the bathroom. 1700-1800sqft finished. The house has been updated over the years (central air came in the late 1990's). They took the screened porch and turned it into a four-season sunroom. It's very nice and many of the homes back there are in similar (or better) shape. There are also some good examples of nice mid-century moderns, one of which is next door and another across the street with amazing wood and creek views. Homes in the neighborhood at the peak of the US housing bubble would be fetching $350K+ but now would probably sell at around $250K-$300K. My grandmother's would probably go for around $275K.

For a comparison to Dayton (well, the Beavercreek suburb of Dayton), our 14 year old 4 bedroom, 13 room home including bathrooms 2600sqft finished plus unfinished basement and two car garage (the NY home has an unfinished walkout basement with one-car garage) would sell for a similar or slightly higher price. We paid in the 230Ks for our home when it was built.

[maplelady]

Yes, I see houses are a good deal right now in Dayton area. Taxes seem high, especially in some areas nearer Cincy.

My father in law bought a crackerbox from a builder in Calgary in 1963. 3 bed 1 bath, unfinished baqsement but with a single garage off the back alley. Was considered far out then but is now considered close. He paid 25 k in 1963 and sold it in 2006 for 750 k. I am not even kidding, It is crazy.

The houses I see in the 1970's executive style areas near the NCR golf courses that are listed in the 300k range would be at least a million in Toronto and Calgary and vancouver... easy.

[SWOH]

Dayton has one of the lowest costs of living in the nation. According to InfoPlease, Dayton's index score is 91.4 on a 100pt scale. The housing score was particularly low, at a 74.5 on the 100pt scale.

Cost of Living Index for Selected U.S. Cities | Infoplease.com