The CF&I sociological Department took great pride in in trying to improve the life of the miners.

The  homes were owned by CF&I and of the  camps were developed over the course of time,   from installing water systems and electricity to the homes.  For these luxuries the miners paid a fix sum for there homes.   25 cents per room and 25 cents per light per month.   CF&I company houses were three, four or five rooms.  For a home with five rooms and five lights would have cost the miner $2.50 per month.

	Ideal was one of the few coal camps that had well laid out straight streets for the homes as evidence to the image on the left.  Making the environment feel more like a town than a camp.
The Sociological Department of CF&I  undertook may camp improvement projects.  The miners were encouraged to raise vegetables gardens and improve there lots with lawns and shrubs and flowers.  There are quite a few images of some of the homes in Ideal.   CF&I would hold contests on homes that had the best gardens,  would award prizes to the occupants of the homes and take a photographs of their home.  In this photograph you can see the YMCA building in the background.
	House No. 11 would have been to the south of the YMCA building.  It is unknown what year this photograph was taken. or who the children are that are in front of the house.