But such doubts of his future and anxiety for his past could only occupy minutes in the busy days of such an active mind as Barnum’s always was. The smooth operation of the Museum allowed him time for other activities and gave him money to devote to them. His preoccupation with the autobiography and his interest in humbugs could not occupy all that time and required no money. East Bridgeport real estate filled in the gap. His bankruptcy had not discouraged him from business activity, and he was still infatuated with the development of his ideas for a model suburb. After the destruction of “Iranistan” by fire, Barnum built “Lindencroft,” a modest house, as impressive as its neighbors, but not extraordinary in its architecture. During the period of Barnum’s recuperation from bankruptcy East Bridgeport had grown into the consummation of his hopes. Other large factories had followed the Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine buildings, and there were now many neat houses for mechanics and laborers where six years before there was nothing but farm land. It was one of Barnum’s greatest pleasures until the end of his life, he tells us, to drive through “those busy streets, admiring the beautiful houses and substantial factories, with their thousands of prosperous workmen, and reflecting that I had, in so great a measure, been the means of adding all this life, bustle, and wealth to the City of Bridgeport.” As soon as he had repurchased some of his former holdings in his pet suburb, Barnum renewed his activities as a real estate operator with a philanthropic turn of mind. He began a campaign for the sale of houses and put notices in the Bridgeport newspapers urging “Every Man to Own the House He Lives In.” He offered to lend money at six per cent. to any number, not exceeding fifty “industrious, temperate, and respectable individuals who desire to build their own houses.” The houses were to be paid for in small weekly, monthly, or quarterly instalments, in amounts of not less than three per cent. per quarter. The owners could engage their own builders and build according to any reasonable plan, subject always to Barnum’s approval, but he himself bought materials in bulk, and he offered to build “nice dwellings, painted and furnished with green blinds,” for $1,500 each.