January 1904 IssueBy the turn of the last century, the industrial revolution created a growing middle class, and more people were able to become homeowners for the first time. Rebelling against the ornate designs of the aristocratic Victorian era, they built practical homes, emphasizing clean lines and artistic craftsmanship.
The California Bungalow style was popular across the country, thanks in part to magazine articles like this. Ladies' Home Journal was one of the leading woman's magazine, and often featured the latest trends in homes. It’s easy to imagine aspiring homeowners looking forward to the day they could build the home they admired in these pages.
The photographs for "The Comfortable Bungalow in California" were taken especially for the Journal, so this was likely the first time the model home appeared in print. (Click photos to enlarge.)
This design is Model 1070 by Walter J. Keith.
