When Glenhaven Mobile Home Park in Dallas joined my portfolio in 1996, I was captivated by the stories from longtime residents about its former glory. These tales were bolstered by an unexpected source: my dentist. He reminisced about living in Glenhaven during the 1950s, fresh from the GI Bill, while pursuing dental school. He described a community filled with aspiring professionals in fields like medicine and law, surrounded by British sports cars and vibrant cocktail parties. Although the only physical clues were Scottish street names and remnants of unique infrastructure like concrete pads hinting at amphitheaters, I stumbled upon a late-night movie that painted a vivid picture of the lifestyle in mobile home parks of that era. What I learned confirmed the legends.
A Hub for Future Leaders
Mobile home parks of the 1950s were more than just places to live; they were breeding grounds for the country’s future movers and shakers. GIs leveraging the benefits of the GI Bill found themselves in these communities while attending college. They were not just residents but ambitious individuals who would go on to shape America’s industries and professions. At the time, these parks offered an upscale and aspirational lifestyle for a demographic that was as promising as it was upwardly mobile. Nobody knows the actual numbers – there were no records kept – but it’s a good bet that anyone notable from the 1950s either lived in, or spent time in, a mobile home park at some point. The best example is Elvis Presley, who lived in a mobile home park in two movies (“It Happened at the World’s Fair” and “Speedway”). Elvis loved mobile homes so much that he built a mobile home park not far from Graceland and would often spend weekends there along with Priscilla.
The Epitome of Style
In the mid-20th century, mobile home parks were synonymous with modernity and sophistication. Much like early adopters of cutting-edge gadgets today, residents enjoyed being part of something new and fashionable. These parks were a novel departure from the traditional suburban home, exuding an air of innovation and exclusivity. The allure was akin to the status symbols of later decades, making mobile home living a cultural statement. You can find many images on-line of mobile home park residents, during this period, that are dressed in tuxedos and smoking jackets – just like the Playboy club – with the women wearing cocktail party attire.
A Vision of the Future
The optimism of the 1950s was palpable, fueled by the technological strides following World War II. Mobile home parks reflected this spirit, embodying what many believed was a glimpse into the future of American living. They resonated with the era’s fascination with innovation and convenience, much like the boom in miniature golf during the 1920s. For many, these parks were more than housing—they were an aspirational lifestyle. And, interestingly today, they also shared the modern movement for “living small”.
Closing Thoughts
If you manage a mobile home park built in the 1950s or early 1960s, you’re preserving a piece of history that once epitomized style, ambition, and progress. Though today’s parks have evolved in appearance, the legacy of their golden era remains a testament to the optimism and ingenuity of mid-century America.