12 EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 344 



accessibility by all-weather roads and relative proximity to water also 

 were considered. Waterfront residents preferred lots with a command- 

 ing view of the lake and countryside, and sought locations that were re- 

 latively sheltered, near those of friends, and accessible by highway. 



Characteristics of the house were second only to those of environ- 

 ment in influencing selection of open country homes. Colonial architec- 

 ture, construction, paneling, and large fireplaces were dominant attrac- 

 tions. Houses of medium size with possibilities for remodeling, yet liv- 

 able without excessive improvement, were selected most frequently. 



In the case of waterfront properties, houses often were lacking at 

 the time of purchase, and even where existent they did not have much 

 to do with the selection of the site. Acquaintance with former owners 

 and purchase from former summer people rather than from local resi- 

 dents were more common because of the earlier development of most 

 waterfront properties. 



The lay-out of the grounds was more important to waterfront than 

 to open country home owners. Ample size of lots, decorative trees, a 

 good beach, and water shallow enough to be safe for children were main 

 considerations. Open country residents preferred properties with 

 decorative trees, open fields, a brook or pond within their boundaries, 

 and ample land for protection against cramped settlement. 



The purchase of a particular property for no other reason than that 

 it happened to be cheap or was listed for sale in metropolitan papers was 

 reported by one owner in ten among both groups. 



Attributes of Summer Residents 



Knowledge of the characteristics and background of summer resi- 

 dents affords a better understanding of the demand for summer homes 

 and the differences in recreational development among geographical areas 

 and types of vacation properties. 



Occupation 



Owners of summer homes represent the higher and middle strata of 

 income and occupation groups. The general income level of open coun- 

 try residents was above that of waterfront residents. One-third of the 

 owners of open country homes were professional workers, including col- 

 lege professors, lawyers, doctors, and teachers. Retired persons, corpor- 

 ation executives, and the combination of small business, managerial, office, 

 and sales workers, each represented less than one-fifth of the group. 

 Skilled, service and domestic workers were a small minority. 



Among the waterfront owners, small business and managerial groups 

 predominated. These classes and professional workers were equal to all 

 other groups combined. 



Purchases of both types of summer homes by lower income groups 

 have been increasing during the last decade. After 1933, purchases by 

 skilled laborers, office and sales workers, and service, domestic, and un- 

 skilled laborers increased steadily. The increase was especially marked 

 in the case of waterfront properties. 



