At cincinnatimodern we are fans of midcentury design in many forms.  One thing that fascinates us is the post war/ baby boom version of pre-fab housing.  Instead of cookie cutter traditional homes, several local Ohio companies came up with their versions of customizable pre fab housing. They started with basic tenants of good design, and sold the “parts” to builders and architects to satisfy their customers varied needs and tastes.  Think of it as the housing version of Ikea kitchen cabinets, from simple to complex and everything in between.

The Ohio companies that participated in this trend were:

• Lustron Corporation | Columbus, OH 1947-1950
• Scholz Homes | Toledo, OH
• Pease Woodworking Company | Cincinnati/Hamilton, OH

This week we shine our spotlight on Pease.  Early in my Real Estate career, I picked up on trends and was always intrigued by the tall closet doors seen in many otherwise nondescript midcentury homes.  What were these and where did builders come up with them?  Turns out, they are upgrades from the Pease Woodworking Company!  Charles H. Pease started the company in Cincinnati in 1893 as a door and millwork company.  By 1940, the company had evolved into highly adaptable pre-fabricated housing, and moved its manufacturing facilities to Hamilton, Ohio.

The Pease House catalogs from the 1950’s are fascinating, selling the promise of a better life with a better house.  Even famed designer and architect George Nelson got on the bandwagon and came up with the Shorewood model for more modern tastes (see CM blog from 7/10/2010).  Local architect Jim Alexander was known to use Pease kits and kick them up a few notches for his modern clients on a budget.  Several of these “franken-pease” homes can be found throughout Wyoming.

When the housing boom waned, the company veered back to its roots and came up with an insulated metal entry door in 1960.  It became their signature product for the late 20^th century.  By 1999, the company was sold to Pella Corporation.  But Pease houses still dot the hills of Cincinnati and beyond with their sturdy, no frills style and solid feel.  And some recognizable bits & pieces to the trained eye.  Like the oversize birch closet doors.  Our new listing in Northside is no exception.  The original owner was a builder.  His brother in law was an engineer.  They plopped a “Hillwood” model (with select upgrades – see invoice below) on an “over engineered” poured foundation.  68 years later the house stands proud and solid on a hilly Northside street, ready to greet the next generation.  How’s that for a slice of Cincinnati history?

yes, I think we’d pay an additional $27 for these flush birch closet doors!

**coming soon in Northside:**