Well, now I know what mine looked like. My house was built in 1949, and since then it has had several additions built on it. Nevertheless, when I pulled out the photo that was sent from the Washington State Archives, my husband and I were surprised to see the little tiny warbox that used to be our house.
We spent the next 30 minutes moving from room to room, trying to figure out the history of each area and what had taken place during each of the additions. It was so interesting to see our home with no garage, no landscaping, no trees in front, and no fences. And it used to be so small...
It made me wonder, would anyone buy a new construction home this small today, even if the small size was reflected in the price? As Americans we have really forgotten what we(or in my case, my parents), grew up with and expected out of a home 50 years ago. I actually did grow up in an 800 sq ft house, and come to think of it, we were always cramped for space(can you say 'Jack and Jill' closet?) But it forced us to spend time in the same room together, for better or for worse.
I am aware of the statistics, and how the average American home has grown, and how even first time home buyers have come to expect at least 2 bathrooms and three bedrooms in their very first home. Not that I'm knocking that in any way. 
The people who bought my home in 1950 and lived there for 49 years apparently decided not to purchase the 3 bedroom model next door; instead, they added an addition to the home each decade they were in it, until this 800 square foot home became almost 1900 square feet of rambler, all but swallowing up the backyard. Now everyone in my family can escape to their own oasis, for better or for worse.
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