Early in 1947, hundreds of contiguous acres of Long Island, New York, were operating as potato farms. Before the end of that year, 350 new homes occupied part of the site. Four years later, Levittown was complete, with more than 17,000 homes, paved streets, utilities, schools, churches, and shops. More than 80,000 people called it home.
Bill Keene, lecturer in urban studies and architecture, delves into the origins and impact of this transformation. Explore how developers such as the Levitts and other visionaries pioneered the creation of large-scale suburbs, first in New York and then in communities across the country, revolutionizing residential and suburban planning in the United States and globally. Keene discusses the contributions of influential figures such as Henry Ford, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Henry Kaiser, who played pivotal roles in shifting home building from a traditional, custom-built process to an industrialized model.
At its peak, this new method was reported to be able to complete more than 30 homes per day through a carefully orchestrated assembly line of 26 steps. Each home was delivered with modern appliances, landscaping, and the potential for expansion. Generous financing options, especially for veterans, made it possible to buy a new single-family home within commuting distance of cites. But these seemingly idyllic suburban communities were not free from the controversies of the day—particularly racism.
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