Levittown, Pa. | Building the Suburban Dream

Ranch House Pioneers

Becoming a Levittowner

Kidsville, USA

Levittown Electronic Hearth

Home & Garden

Main Street

Exhibit acknowledgements

Ranch House Pioneers
LIFE ON THE SUBURBAN FRONTIER

Young family arriving in Levittown, late June, 1952. The typical Levittown household consisted of couples under age 30 with children under age five. [Courtesy of Urban Archives, Temple University, Philadelphia.].

They came in the pioneering spirit of America—with a suitcase in one hand and a baby in another.

June 26, 1952 issue of the Levittown Times reporting on the arrival of the first residents.

Young family arriving in Levittown, late June, 1952. The typical Levittown household consisted of couples under age 30 with children under age five.
[Urban Archives, Temple University, Philadelphia]

Levittown's First Official Family

Levittown's first 20 families arrived on June 23, 1952.

With its partially framed housing, immature landscaping and muddy streets, their new community looked more like a frontier town than a modern housing development.

"People talked about the mud and the dirt and everything, but it was exciting"
Philomena Dougherty

showing Doughertys moving from Phila. to Levittown Courtesy of Rita Calzarette.

On June 23, 1952, reporters followed John and Philomena Dougherty as they moved into their new home at 67 Stonybrook Drive. Like many of those who would follow, Levittownçs first official family had moved up from Philadelphia.

Their front yard was still a construction site, but for the Doughertys and countless others, Levittown represented the fulfillment of the American Dream of homeownership. "Country living with city conveniences," Philomena told reporters. [Rita Calzarette]

Home on the Range

Soon-to-be residents frequently photographed their Levittown houses under construction. A first home was an occasion worth recording and remembering.

Child in doorway of recently framed house. [Kathy Sandy]

George Ryan cartoon, from the Levittown Outlook, 1959. [Jerry Jonas]

The first few weeks for new homeowners was akin to frontier life—few public services, alternately muddy and dusty streets, and Spartan furnishings. An official "Welcome Wagon" helped new homeowners with their transition to suburbia.


George Carmichael inspects his new house on Jasmine Road, in the Juniper Hills section of Levittown.	Carmichael enjoys his first dinner—on moving boxes—in his new home. [George Carmichael]

Even local officials had to consult Levittown maps to figure out who lived where. Their main activity in the early years? Helping lost homeowners—and their children and pets—find their way home. [Jerry Jonas]

Home Delivery


Vendors and salesmen lined up along Jasmine Road in the Juniper Hill section. [George Carmichael]	Ad for "Eureka Disposomatic" published in the Levittown Times.

With more than 70,000 residents, Levittown represented a lucrative market for businesses that catered to new home owners—an ideal built-in market for everything from heating oil to milk delivery. Maps of Levittown were a favorite advertising premium.

During the early years, competition for Levittown's "milk dollar" was fierce. Local dairies such as Greenwood gave free samples to win over new customers. For businesses that catered to young families, suburbia represented the ideal market.

Dairies occupied two full pages in the local telephone book in 1956. [David Marable]

Growth Spurt!

Levittown's population grew by leaps and bounds during the 1950s, thanks both to natural increase and the constant arrival of new residents. Like many other new suburbs, Levittown was considered a "rabbits warren" and a boom town for pediatricians.

George Carmichael inspects his new house on Jasmine Road, in the Juniper Hills section of Levittown.

Living by the Rules

New residents to Levittown received instructions on the care and maintenance of new homes, as well as a list of community "do's" and "don'ts."

The Homeowners Guide, distributed to all new residents, came to be known as the "rule book." [Collections of the State Museum]

Another necessity for new home owners? A detailed map.

Ad for the "ranch dryer," published in the Levittown Times, 1952.

Only "revolving portable type dryers" were permitted in Levittown since, according to Levitt, "old fashioned clothes lines strung across the lawn look messy." Levitt also prohibited the hanging of laundry on Sundays and holidays, "when you and your neighbor are most likely to be relaxing on the rear lawn."

Concerned they would spoil the developmentçs "park-like appearance," Levitt banned man-made fences. Residents were instead encouraged to plant a "natural" fence of privet hedge or evergreens. The restriction proved unenforceable.

George Ryan cartoon from the Levittown Outlook, 1959.

Expanding

Home remodeling became a major industry. Many Levittown residents built out or up to accommodate growing families


Ad for home remodeling placed in the Levittown Outlook, 1959.	Letter from Levitt and Sons approving an addition. [Sam Hellings] Homeowners were required to submit their remodeling plans to Levitt for approval.

Father finishing rec room. [Look Magazine Collection, Library of Congress]	Couple decorating house at night. [Look Magazine Collection, Library of Congress] According to the Ladies Home Journal, a favorite pastime of newcomers was "gazing into lighted homes at night to pick up decorating ideas."

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