As many of you know, I have a “retro” kitchen sink in the cabin and I love this old sink - YES I do! My dad was very frugal and I know he bought it used when they built the cabin in the early 60’s. He would be very happy to know that it is still in use and cherished. Yep! I cherish my kitchen sink. There are memories of this sink when we first started to visit my parents here in those days. The children were ages 5, 4, 3 and 1. Each one was bathed in the sink and then sat on a towel on the drainboard to be dried. They fit very well in that sink and the water stayed warm during the entire bath. Our small dogs have also had baths in there!
I have posted numerous pictures throughout my past blogs, of dishes draining after my kitchen projects. I would like you to know some of its history.
After World War II the production of steel for the war was over. The industry had to find a new outlet for the huge production capabilities. Mullins National Steel then produced it for Youngstown Kitchens of Warren Ohio. I believe these kitchens were produced throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s. The earliest advertisement I can find for the kitchens is dated 1944. It was advertised as “Housewives Heaven at Hubby’s Price” and it had “Diana-Style Beauty.”
The nameplate on the front of the sink is of the Goddess Diana. Mine is in great shape.
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| e-Bay photo |
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| My Diana Nameplate |
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| This decal is on the inside of the right side front cabinet door |
I found one for sale on E-Bay and it was “almost” the same as the one here. The seller was asking $200. Well you couldn’t give me $2,000 for mine and it is in better shape than this one shown below.
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| $200.00 E-Bay Ad |
I found this information also and think it is interesting:
“Youngstown Kitchens Cabinet Sinks are all-steel, die-made construction for longer life, more streamlined contours, and smoother finishes. Available in fourteen luxury models, ranging from the 42” single-bowl, single-drainboard model to the 66” double-bowl, double-drainboard model. All Youngstown Kitchens Cabinet Sinks have one-piece, white, acid-resisting porcelain-enamel tops and gleaming-white Hi-Bake enamel finishes.”
They even made a song for salesmen to get excited about selling these sinks! Don’t you just love it? I believe it was performed in 1953.
I am so impressed by the pristine shape your sink decal and nameplate are in! Really wanted to hear the ad, but I couldn't get the video to load. The sinks they put in homes today are so sad, aren't they? When we bought our home in BR I was excited to have a single, large, deep sink made by Kohler. You gave me the idea to bathe Izzy in there! I didn't think of that. :)
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