Historic Quonset Huts Still Serve a Purpose
The Quonset Hut receives its name from their place of origin: Quonset Point at the Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center in Rhode Island.
The design of the hut was based upon improving the Nissen Hut, a light prefab structure developed by the British during WWI.
In 1941, a production facility was set up to solve the Navy's need for a fast solution to shelter people and materials and to provide space for barracks, latrines, offices and wards.
The Quonset is constructed with a row of semi-circular steel or wood ribs, which are then covered with corrugated sheet metal.
Their original size was 16 ft by 36 ft, but they range in size up to 40 ft x 100 ft.
The military sold the Hut inventory to civilians after WWII.
For about a thousand dollars per hut, some citizens used the huts for housing.
Some of the huts now serve as military museums or recording studios.
The huts served as housing in Michigan State University as dorms with bunk beds at one end with a common room used for studying and recreation.
One over-sized Quonset served as the housing community's cafeteria.
And in the town of Briny Breezes Florida Quonset huts were purchased in the 1950's for use as an auditorium, a community center, art studios, hobby center and laundromat.
Many Brinyites fondly remember attending meetings, dances and social gatherings in the Quonset Huts.
The buildings also served as a movie and entertainment theater; and as an arts and craft center.
Today, the Quonset Huts in Briny Breezes still serve as a gathering place for the residents.
The design of the hut was based upon improving the Nissen Hut, a light prefab structure developed by the British during WWI.
In 1941, a production facility was set up to solve the Navy's need for a fast solution to shelter people and materials and to provide space for barracks, latrines, offices and wards.
The Quonset is constructed with a row of semi-circular steel or wood ribs, which are then covered with corrugated sheet metal.
Their original size was 16 ft by 36 ft, but they range in size up to 40 ft x 100 ft.
The military sold the Hut inventory to civilians after WWII.
For about a thousand dollars per hut, some citizens used the huts for housing.
Some of the huts now serve as military museums or recording studios.
The huts served as housing in Michigan State University as dorms with bunk beds at one end with a common room used for studying and recreation.
One over-sized Quonset served as the housing community's cafeteria.
And in the town of Briny Breezes Florida Quonset huts were purchased in the 1950's for use as an auditorium, a community center, art studios, hobby center and laundromat.
Many Brinyites fondly remember attending meetings, dances and social gatherings in the Quonset Huts.
The buildings also served as a movie and entertainment theater; and as an arts and craft center.
Today, the Quonset Huts in Briny Breezes still serve as a gathering place for the residents.
