Why ranchers are still around

RE “The Once and Future Ranch” [Oct. 20]: The reason Joseph Eichler and Cliff May houses sold so well was because they were marvelous to be in and very moderately priced. I went through an Eichler house in Palo Alto recently that was in pristine shape. The home was as open and fresh today as it was when it was first built. Historical roots had little to do with it; the house was totally subservient to its design quality and price.

Because the U.S. population has never had any design education, and rather than looking into what a house feels like to live in, people fall for every “new” style they think represents status, i.e. Tudor, McCastle, etc.

SYD BROWN

Los Osos, Calif.