The Twelve Cottages

January 24, 1946

The war was over and the veteran's were coming home. There was a major housing shortage in Thief River.

Loans with which to buy, build or remodel homes had been simplified for the WWII veterans under terms of the amendments to the service men's readjustment act signed by President Truman after the holidays. This was pointed out by the manager of the First Federal Savings and Loan which specialized in making veteran's home loans. The Veteran's Administration set aside $200,000 for housing. According the law, $4,000 will be guaranteed by the VA. and takes the place of the old law which only made the down payment. Before the bill was signed, only $2,000 was allotted.


That bill coordinates the Ranum Construction Company building 12 cottages on the east side with First Federal. All to be sold with veterans being given first preference.


Two of the cottages, now virtually completed, have been sold and will be occupied shortly. Of the others, four are being started this week, with construction of the remained scheduled within the next ten days. A crew of eight men are engaged on the project under the supervision of Stan Ranum, contractor. The project is being financed by First Federal Savings and Loan of this city.


Each of the cottages are being built on fifty foot lots. The locations are Conley, Maple, and Merriam Avenue. Sewer and water services are not available at this time. The houses are not modern except for electric lights. None have basements. It was pointed out that connections with sewer and water will be available at a later date. They are well insulated, have built in kitchen cabinets and have four rooms. They are expected to cost $1,900.

In a later paper it states that S. Ranum Sold seven of the cottages to date and sees a demand for fifty more structures. It states he will continue building until the housing shortage for veteran's has been met. All seven of the first houses sold for $1,900.

Authors note: These first twelve cottages were built on the very end of the avenues mentioned. The city had not run sewer/water to that area. Obviously, the houses needed to be built where there were lots. Later, houses were built throughout the city on vacant lots nestled in to the community where their was plumbing. On the next trip to that city, Old Trunks will check to see how these houses fared since they were built in 1946.

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