Thanks for posting this advert.

While I doubt any “modern American” would live in a structure so small – it does look like a candidate for a cabin or MIL add-on. In 1937 new homes were 600 to 800 sq ft – so this prefab would not be ‘small’ by the standards of the day.

As for the cost. $500 USD from 1937 are ‘worth’ (and I use that term very loosely) about $7,030 (year 2006) USD.

Much of the newer small prefab offerings have the same boxy look. While I am sure the shape is driven by cost, the newer offerings material is likely greener and certainly more livable.

I just seem to lust for a few curves to add some excitement to a dwelling. Some of the more recent Solar Decathlon builds were both energy wise and very pleasing to this old eye.

"As for the cost. $500 USD from 1937 are ‘worth’ (and I use that term very loosely) about $7,030 (year 2006) USD."

There is a difference between worth less, and worthless :)

I wonder if a similar sized house could be built for $7k today? I hate to think what the permits alone would cost, but using inexpensive plywood siding and cheap fiberglass insulation seems possible, but tight.

that home is probably full of poisonous cancer causing chemicals that are now baned and has a major draft in the winter

This house as small as it was and at that time did not have chemcal to cause cancer. The only substance was roofing tar. go plin old wood. My grand father lived to an old age of 94, he build on and add on to one this was his idear foundation.

Some Tumbleweed homes are even smaller.