Part 10/15:
From the late 1910s through the 1920s, Gordon-Van Tine sold an estimated 54,000 homes under its own name, with additional thousands through the Wardway brand. Their reputation for quality, variety, and innovation cemented their place as a leading manufacturer of pre-fab houses.
Trials of the Great Depression and Wartime Adaptations
The Great Depression dealt a severe blow to the housing industry, and Gordon-Van Tine was no exception. As economic hardship persisted from 1929 onward, new home construction plummeted. Wells dried up for financing, and consumers—many struggling just to meet daily needs—ceased building. The Wardway division was shuttered in the early 1930s, leaving Gordon-Van Tine without a significant revenue stream.