The Wonderful World of Cinderella Homes Created by Jean Vandruff

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About CINDERELLA HOMES

The Original Cinderella Homes

In the 1950s, Southern California tract housing developments filled the need of a burgeoning population, but they often lacked innovation, imagination and quality. The ubiquitous, plain box-style home tracts featuring little ornamentation came to define the term “cookie cutter.” It’s no wonder that designer and builder Jean Vandruff’s charming Cinderella Homes skyrocketed to popularity, since they exemplified a visionary translation of storybook magic into appealing new homes most buyers could afford. 


Jean Vandruff began building houses in Southern California in the early 1950s, after serving as a decorated pilot in WWII. He enrolled in the USC School of Architecture, but eventually left the program to build custom homes with his brother, Shannon. His first Cinderella Home was a custom home built in Downey, CA, in 1953, creating a prototype for his wildly popular model home that was featured at the 1956 Los Angeles Home Show. The success and interest this model generated initiated his venture into tract home building and a subsequent franchise deal that facilitated his Cinderella Homes being built around the country. The style became an iconic mid-century design. Eventually, over 6,000 Cinderella Homes were built throughout California and the United States.

Great Interior Design

In the 1950s, Cinderella tract homes revolutionized the industry. These homes featured hardwood floors, diamond pane windows, shake shingle roofs, spacious living rooms and a two-car garage.

A Variety of Layout Options

Cinderella Homes first appeared on the market in Anaheim, CA, in 1956. Families camped out overnight in order to purchase one. Jean created dozens of family-friendly home designs to choose from.

About The AUTHOR

CHRIS LUKATHER

  Chris Lukather is the author of three books on mid-century home designers and builders in Southern California: A Birdhouse in Paradise: William Mellenthin and the San Fernando Valley Ranch Homes (2017), The Cinderella Homes of Jean Vandruff (2019), and The Homes of Robert Byrd (2022). A graduate of California Institute of the Arts, Chris has worked as a graphic designer, writer and editor. He is currently the editor of the quarterly literary journal, The Writing Disorder. Chris is a fifth-generation Californian, who spent much of his youth exploring the streets and neighborhoods of the San Fernando Valley. 

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