Beverly Shores in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Century of Progress Homes

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 3, 2013

1. Century of Progress Homes Marker

Inscription. "Century of Progress" homes at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair showcased innovative building materials and designs. Visitors marveled at modern features like dishwashers and air conditioners.

In 1935, developer Robert Bartlett brought five Century of Progress homes to Beverly Shores. Today, the homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore partners with the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana to preserve and rehabilitate the homes through a historic leasing agreement.

The homes arrived at Beverly Shores on barges.

The Wieboldt-Rostone house is made of rostone, a stone based composite cladding. The material did not survive Lake Michigan's harsh winters.

The Armco-Ferro House, made of corrugated steel panels, was the only Century of Progress Home to meet the Fair Committee's design criteria. It could be mass-produced, and was affordable.

The original rustic elements of the Cypress Log Cabin included carved animal heads and fantasy creatures.

The Florida Tropical House blended indoor and outdoor environments.

The House of Tomorrow featured prefabricated

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concrete and an airplane hangar next to the garage.

Private tenants lease these homes. Please respect their privacy.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 41° 41.049′ N, 87° 0.056′ W. Marker is in Beverly Shores, Indiana, in Porter County. It is on W. Lake Front Dr 0.1 miles east of Dunbar Ave, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beverly Shores IN 46301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana,

specifically on the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan Shore,

and in the Calumet Region.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 3, 2013

2. Century of Progress Homes Marker

On street wall in front of the House of Tomorrow

as the crow flies: The Armco-Ferro House: Mass Produced And Affordable (a few steps from this marker); Century Of Progress Homes: Historic District (a few steps from this marker); House Of Tomorrow: 'America's First Glass House' (within shouting distance of this marker); The Florida House: Home, Cruise Ship, and More (within shouting distance of this marker); A Showcase For Cypress (within shouting distance of this marker); Made In Lafayette: An Experiment in Home Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hostas on a Grand Scale (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly Shores.

Other markers no longer nearby. Recipe for a Sand Dune (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Whose Home Is It? (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Is This an Ocean or a Lake? (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Wieboldt-Rostone House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 3, 2013

3. Wieboldt-Rostone House

(Under Restoration)

Armco-Ferro House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 3, 2013

4. Armco-Ferro House

Cypress Log Cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 3, 2013

5. Cypress Log Cabin

Florida Tropical House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 3, 2013

6. Florida Tropical House

The House of Tomorrow image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 3, 2013

7. The House of Tomorrow

(Under Restoration)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,034 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 5, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.