Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wheeler, shown above, have lived in a mobile home
for about five years. They came here from Indiana. He is employed by
Trowbridge and Flynn Electric company and is an avid huntsman. He owns
about 50 guns and is pictured with a few of his collection. They prefer
Oregon because of the opportunities for fishing and hunting. Mr. Wheeler is
a member of several gun and rifle clubs."
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Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Darling are in the real estate business
and have lived here for, ebout 15 years. Only recently did
they purchase their mobile home. Their children, are grown
and married and both Mr. and Mrs. Darling are associated, in
the business which is close by the court. So they find, their
new home a convenient and comfortable way of living. "
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M. L. Spiker, 70, a former Nebraskan who sold farm machinery
in Portland for 33 years, is retired. His wife died in 1951. Hit
mobile home takes him near to his favorite fishing haunts, and when
he visits his sons at Medford and Klamath Falls, and daughters at
Redding and Dunsmuir, Calif., he is no trouble to the in-laws. Mr.
Spiker also likes hunting, trap shooting and baseball.
By FRANCES BULKIN
About four million Americans live in mobile homes. Of that .
number, about 1,390 families are, in Jackson county. These
statistics were furnished the Mail Tribune last week as today's
pictures were being taken at the Valley Center Trailer court, 3410
North Pacific highway.
Though the pictures were taken at one location, they are .
representative of all who choose this mode of living.
Except for their chosen type of residence (which they dislike
to have called "trailer houses") these people are typical Americans,'
belong to Parent-Teacher associations, chambers of commerce.
Medford
Tribune
MEDFORD, OREGON, SUNDAY, JULY 17, 1955
MaMHe Mawmnes
service clubs, churches, take active interests in other cvic affairs,
and their children attend local schools. Most of them .have lived .
for some time in the same court. Few consider themselves as
transients.' Most enjoy the out of doors the friendliness of their
neighbors, and the economy of home maintenance.
Full sized ranges and refrigerators, air cooling systems, oil
heat, and quantities of closet and storage space are only a few of
the conveniences they enjoy. An unexpected visit last week did
not throw these housewives into a dither of picking up or making
excuses for their housekeeping.. Everything was spotless.
(Brainerd photos)
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For the 6se of all, a utility room is provided by the ' Moores. Shown in front of this building are Mr. Mitchell
and Mrs. Moore as she goes to distribute the tenants' mail in the various pigeon holes provided for each family.
In this building too are laundry room, showers, toilet facilities and other conveniences, though each mobile home
is equipped with most of the utilites as well as bath tubs. . Mr. and Mrs. Moore moved to Oregon to hunt and fish
and lived in a large home on Rogue river north of Gold Hill. They became lonely, wanted to be with and serve
others, so they purchased the court. r . ,
I "
About 20 children live at this court and they have ample space to play. For their entertainment is a play
yard where a number of them are pictured above. . They also have a tether ball and a basketbajl court. All
of those of grade school age attend Howard school and are close enough to walk. One junior high student, David
Brown, also lives there. Most of those who have children have two bedrooms. Others use Davenos for extra
sleeping space. All have lawns, most have, fences, patios and flowers and take special pride in making their yards
attractive. Trees are spaced about the property to provide shade.
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Shown in the patio in front of the W. R. Mitchell home is a group of
court residents preparing a steak barbecue. Mr. Mitchell,' president of the
Jackson County Mobile Home Owners association, is shown left and continuing
are Tom Moore (seated), court owner, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Paul Grimes, Mrs.
Moore (seated), and Miss Evelyn Moore. Micky," the Moore's dog,, shows
approval. Mr. Moore is a retired civil service employee. The Grimes sold
their acreage home 15 months 090 He -works for Medford Concrete and
Construction opany.
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Fellows and their three-year-old,,
daughter Susie, have lived twice at the same court. He is f
a timber feller and their mobile home makes it possible r
for them to go where he is working. She is shown above .
as she prepared to do the family washing. Several in the
court mentioned the convenience of taking their homes i
where the husband works. It makes for better horn life
and keeps down living 1
V The Hagotd McGrath family has lived at the same court for two
years. Shown above is Mrs. McGrath as she washes dishes in their
dining section. Seated are their sons, Harold Jr., 10, and Dennis, 7,
both Howard school students and members of Scout groups. Mr.
McGrath is a logger and as an avocation he drives "hot rods' He race
his car, A-37, here, in Roseburg and at Yreka. When mobile home
need to do k unplug the 4ee
owners decide to go on a trip ell they
tridty, turn off the weft and laova, .