Homes
Family Homes, Dormitories, Apartments

"Vernon Parish Democrat," July 14, 1921

"...Our homes are far from what we want, but we can build them; we have the material, and by applying the labor the job is done..."

"Llano Colonist," March 18, 1922

"Small Colony Houses Are Being Erected -- Because of the increasing number of people who are now making the Llano Colony their home, the housing problem is one which is pressing. It is being met at present by the erection of small two-room houses which can be quickly made ready for use.

The colonists had hoped to begin the erection of its permanent new hotel and homes before this, but the lack of brickmasons and other labor has postponed that work and made necessary the erection of these temporary houses.

The mill saws up the lumber and makes the siding, flooring and shingles all ready to be fitted into the houses. They are two-room houses, each room 12 x 12. It should be remembered that in Newllano one is seldom at home except to sleep, for the colonists may eat at the hotel, and in the evenings there is always social or educational diversion to be had.

Several families are on the ground now awaiting the completion of these houses, ten of which will be erected at once."

"Llano Colonist," May 13, 1922

"Matz and Nash were quietly building a new shingle bungalow when that sawmill bunch broke loose and stormed the job. They ran short of saw logs and shut down the mill and disturbed the serenity of Nash, Matz and Co. by flocking onto their peaceful job. Ed Merrill wants that house and there are others to be built at once."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," July 8, 1922 (frequent ad in the Colonist around that time)

"Will You Be a Builder? -- "When are you going to build that hotel dormitory?" asked a visitor to Llano the other day; "you need it badly enough."

"Yes," came the response, "we need it surely, but we can't build without brickmasons and other workers. You see, comrade we are growing so fast here that we can't keep up with our work. People must be housed as they arrive. They can't live out in the woods until the dormitory is built. So we have to saw out lumber and build small temporary houses. New industries must be developed and they must be housed...

We have to erect other buildings, also. Since we started the new dormitory idea, new wants have been created. We MUST build a new school-house this year. Our garage and machine shop must be housed and this building will be the next. The printshop wants a new and larger building for its work is getting too big for the present quarters..."

"Vernon Parish Democrat," September 23, 1922

"The construction department of the Colony is busy now on the erection of three more new houses, to provide shelter for the newcomers who are constantly arriving.

These houses are of the same plan as the other six recently built, and are so made that their removal to other locations is an easy matter.

They are made of shingles on the sides and roof, hardwood floors, and brick chimneys, and are considered adequate for the protection from climate, especially for those who eat at the community kitchens and use their houses merely for sleeping."

"Llano Colonist," March 1, 1930

"It has been the policy of the Colony management to first put a secure economic foundation under the organization. This has been done through the industrial development. Up to this time, the main effort of the builders necessarily has had to be directed toward the housing of these industries.

Of these activities, the ice and refrigerating plant, power plant, the wood-working industries in the shape of the veneer and crate-making, cabinet-making and lumber finishing in general, planing mill, box factory, steam laundry, candy factory, and some farm buildings, are now housed.

Meanwhile, with the exception of a few temporary houses hastily run up, the colonists have lived in the houses of the old mill town left here by the lumber company of whom the colony bought land.

These old houses have been patched up and kept in repair from time to time, pending such time as permanent building of homes could be accomplished.

What are you doing to help?

We furnish the builders and the lumber. In our woodworking department all the parts of the house are cut out and made ready to put up. We need $500 for each home to buy the necessary lime, cement, nails, glass and other hardware...

Will you encourage them and help Llano house the needy? By doing so you will be helping to build a practical dream...

Surely, you can send a single contribution, if you are not already on the regular monthly contributing list...

If you are interested in Llano and expect some time to come here, this simply means that you are helping build your future home. Certainly, it should not be necessary for us to urge you to do this..."

"Llano Colonist," March 7, 1931

"Mooney and Company are getting the new hotel roof on and tonight some Colonists will roost in new rooms. Mr. Campbell's niece and her husband have decided to make Llano their home and they are going to be the first couple to move into the new hotel. More speed to the shinglers and it is a certainty that Mooney can put on as many as any one who has ever been on this place. It should not be long before we have much more room than we have had, then the chance is opened up to more Colonists."

"Llano Colonist," August 1, 1931

"...today I took a walk around Golden Rule Park, in the neighborhood of which most of the new homes have been built, and was myself surprised to see all that has been accomplished.

Right next the Banta home is the Hardy house, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Hardy and her sister, Miss Hubert. Beyond the Banta place is the house built for Comrades Price and Gill, with whom Mr. and Mrs. Bohnsted live and help them keep house. Incidentally I learned that Comrade Price had just returned from Hot Springs and is feeling fit and happy again. He delights in a garden and has a lovely one of both vegetables and flowers in connection with their house. The flower garden surrounding Mother Banta's house is a thing of beauty and a joy forever. A picture of their house now would be far more beautiful than the one carried so long in the Colonist and which was taken when the house was first completed. Miss Hubert at the Hardy place is bent on having a flower garden and nice surroundings and will get them eventually when she has had as long a time to work it out as the Bantas have had.

Next the Bachelor House (Gill & Price) is Comrade Eldred's little house, moved into the Park section from his old location. Beyond that is the snug little home of Nellie and Paul (Bradshaw), I mention these houses in getting to the next new ones. Next in the Park and facing on the main highway is the incompleted home of Comrade Wright and next that of Violet Dix. Next is Dr. Irwin's house which was completed last winter, a large two and a half story structure with many comfortable porches and sun rooms. Here I may interpolate that a similar house for Dr. Irwin is being built at this Unit Number 4 of the Llano Way three miles south of us on the main highway. When he is ready to occupy the new house this present home will be used for colony purposes here.

All these homes are supplied with water from the main line, a three-inch pipe system recently laid down. Beyond the Irwin home the trench is dug and I saw the sections of pipe ready for extending the water system. The Park is being fenced in and the water pipe parallels the fence.

Beyond the Irwin place, piers are down for Dr. Williams' house, a beautiful location with lovely, cool vistas through tall pines and oaks. All these places have the Park as a background.

Next Dr. Williams' place is that of J.T. Askew, a small cottage and garage combined, with rustic fence of Comrade Askew's construction. While he is away in Kansas looking after his wheat crop, the Van Antwerps are occupying his cottage. He writes that he will be back in October.

The Askew place is on the corner of the high road and the lane between our orchards and the Park. Turning the lane corner, we come to the Tuber house, now under construction. On approaching, one gets the feeling of a low, broad, comfortable, pleasing type of bungalow, one that has had careful and artistic planning. A wide, spacious porch, sheltering two entrance doors with panel glass on either side; large, hospitable living room with big fireplace, and sun room at one side; bath room and kitchen, dining room, sleeping rooms, wide hall running length of house, plenty of closets, and all being plastered throughout. Spacious porches on all sides -- a lovely home to which the Tubers are looking forward with happy anticipation.

Next the Tubers is the framework of Harold Kemp's house up, and beyond that Geo. Hullinger's house in the next stage of completion. Comrade Hullinger is working on his house in his spare time.

Next the Hullinger place, Whitmer and Rohr live in a cottage built last winter, also the Barretts live next to that in a new house.

Next is the house of Ruby and Harry (Nesnow) all nicely completed and looking very cosy, inside and out. Next, on the corner again where the Park turns back toward the colony proper, is Bernie Steven's house. Next this are the two houses of Ray Bradshaw and Carl and Madeline Van Buskirk. Nobody at home there when I rounded the corner, so I had not the opportunity of seeing inside, but have been told that these houses are beautifully plastered and finished throughout.

At the corner before turning, and across the lane, are the homes of Ole Synoground and Walt Fread. Following the road leading to and beyond the Kid Kolony are the big brooder houses and the cottage of Comrade Niell, beyond that the Graves place and the farm house.

Walking through this section two years ago, one would have encountered only lovely woodland paths and trees and empty fields. Here, our builders have been busy and these are some the comrades who have been and are being housed and provided for. Last but not least, that House of Conspiracy for Geo. T. Pickett & Family is under way. Other homes have been and are being built, but this touches the high spots and answers in the main the friends' letters. Building is much slowed up now because our builders are being used in food raising, etc., but Llano never stands still, and we will see much more completed the coming winter. Esther Allen"

"Llano Colonist," October 17, 1931

"This morning, Oct. 1st, the mail didn't bring me a handful of bills. There was no bill for rent... [on the house] that my good wife and I are using. There was no bill from the Hotel for the food that we... consumed during the month. All month long I have enjoyed the radio, used electricity up to ... midnight practically every night, and no bill for the use of the 'juice' will be presented to me..."

"Llano Colonist," October 24, 1931

""On the highest point in the big garden someone is starting to erect a log cabin. Looks lonesome way out there, perhaps this look is to be one of the attractions of the habitation. If ever covered with the vines and surrounded with flowers it will be one of the show places of the colony. Other houses are creeping along toward a condition of habitableness. Mooney is still on the Tuber house and says he will stay by it until it is finished, if it takes all his lifetime. Perhaps he will someday get help on the job and then Tuber may get into it by the coming of the New Year."