A Quonset Hut Cutie in Gary, IN

,

Since I enjoy taking the roads less traveled, it stands to reason that I also enjoy staying in places that aren’t always your run off the mill hotels.  Such was the case in Gary, IN where I came across this cute quonset hut AirBnB.  Yes please!

Looking back towards the entrance of the little community.
Looking back towards the entrance of the little community.
This little area had about a dozen quonset huts total.
This little area had about a dozen quonset huts total.

Each hut was divided in half to make duplexes.  Our half ended just about in front of my car.  In that little area they still managed to fit 2 bedrooms and a tiny bathroom.  These were from the 40’s to 50’s era but were recently renovated but still kept their rustic vibe.

Pretty much the whole living and kitchen area and hallway to bedrooms here. See the curved walls?
Pretty much the whole living and kitchen area and hallway to bedrooms here. See the curved walls?
Left of the entry was the living area with loveseat and TV.
Left of the entry was the living area with loveseat and TV.
A drop sided table and a very retro kitchen.
A drop sided table and a very retro kitchen.
Both rooms had queen beds with log frames and rustic wood paneling. You can see some of the curved bracing in here too.
Both rooms had queen beds with log frames and rustic wood paneling. You can see some of the curved bracing in here too.
This bed was not for the vertically challenged. It was a bit tough getting in and out with the tall log rails protruding.
This bed was not for the vertically challenged. It was a bit tough getting in and out with the tall log rails protruding.

I read that in the US the design was based off the original Nissen design but was named Quonset after their first use at Quonset Point for WWII.  The Great Lakes Sreel Company made 150-170,000 units during the war as they were easy to make, ship and could be assembled by unskilled workers making them ideal for any and every use during the war from barracks, latrines, mess halls to hospitals or warehouses.

My friend from Australia, Lizzy, shared with me that these were known there as Nissen or Romney huts and were used in the migrant camps near her to house all the European and Baltic country folks who fled their war torn homelands or to get away from after war rationing restrictions.  They housed full families with multiple generations.  After 4 (?) years, if they had learned English, secured permanent work, learned to drive then got a block of land where they transported their hut to and continued living in it until a new home was built.  300,000 of these had been in use there from 1947-1971.

I’m really glad we stayed in this piece of history.  It was a unique experience and it brought about some great learnings of history gone by.

This was an AirBNB in Gary, Indiana near the shores of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Sand Dunes National Park, and not far from Chicago.  If you need a quaint place to stay, I recommend it!

Do y’all have any Quonset hut memories to share?  If so, comment below.  I’d love to hear more tales!