Levittown: Root of the Modern Suburb

Long Island is an interesting place. It’s by no means a famous destination, overshadowed by the little island of Manhattan that dominates everyone’s minds at the mention of New York. Say you’re from Long Island to someone outside of New York state and they’ll likely have no idea what you’re talking about, but mention the star-studded Hamptons and there’s a good chance they’ll recognize the name.

In fact, I dare so that summarizes the Long Island experience and the nature of famous locals as a whole. We all know about the landmarks and hotspots, but have no appreciation for the place it calls home.

However, the reason Long Island is interesting isn’t because of it’s wineries, elite riddled east end, or even it’s references in The Great Gatsby. It’s because it has an architectural legacy that transcends the bounds of its shore and even its state.

Let me take you back to the 1940’s, end of the second World War. After years of war, tired soldiers are returning to their homes for the first time since shipping out to Europe and the Pacific Islands. Many of them young men, plucked right out of school or from early careers finding themselves now full grown and with needs. Families, jobs, and- maybe most importantly- somewhere to call home. Such a high demand required more than just the natural cycle of housing being supplied, and the government stepped in for the returning heroes.

That brings us to Levittown, New York. Located neatly in the center of Long Island, it was here that the birth of what we now know as the Levitt House happened.

See, after World War 2 there was something known as the G.I. Bill which was designed to give returning veterans benefits to reward them for their service and give them jump started back in modern society. Among one of the many benefits was housing initiatives. But to have houses to give away, you need to have houses in the first place. So the US Government reached out to architects to design cost efficient housing that wouldn’t put the country into debt but also be enough for comfortable living. The end result was a collection of houses created by Levitt and Sons, bringing into this world the iconic suburban home.

They came in different flavors but you’d recognize one of these Levitt homes if you saw it. Often squat with a tall peaked roof with a garage attached, and very square. Most importantly, if there was one there was hundreds of them. Simple in design, these houses were like a rubber stamp that spread across a decent chunk of a previously agricultural dominated landscape. And once it worked out in Long Island, the Levittown born design spread. All across the country, these houses appeared by the hundreds. Almost overnight the modern suburbs was born, and it’s all thanks to the Long Island born structure.

So if you’re ever feeling a little underwhelmed by the rows and rows of houses all in the same style, think back to days it was first born. It’s the roots of a legacy that goes far beyond the streets of Farmingdale, Huntington, and Levittown. The very house you live in now may have a twin all the way in Columbus, the same in almost every way except for what’s on the inside.