Boston/Kenmore Sears Distribution Building

[blackstone]

Facebook group for Historic U.S. Route 20 posted a story about the (supposed) origin of Sears' Kenmore brand name. They claim that the name is a result of the Sears building in Kenmore Square in Boston.

Whether true or not, this Facebook group is interesting, always posting pictures and stories about Route 20, which runs from Boston, cross-country, to Oregon.

I live on Route 20A in Springfield, a stone's throw from the actual Route 20.

Their posting---
"In 1927 - Sears built their distribution center and store in the Fenway/Kenmore neighborhood in Boston.
When determining a brand name for their appliances that debuted in 1927-28 they chose Kenmore for the area the distribution center was located.
Today many people trust Kenmore appliances from Sears. The building still stands.
Of course today Route 20s eastern terminus is at Kenmore Square.
(Note: Sears lists a different history, but many Boston historians find the Boston story much more accurate and plausible)"

http://https//www.facebook.com/HistoricUsRoute20

 

[goatfarmer]

If route 20 is the same as US 20, I live about 2 miles south of it.

 

[davey7]

Considering there is a Kenmore Avenue in Chicago, the Boston connection seems a bit spurious. And of course Route 20 runs through Chicago as well (though not that close to the Sears complex).

 

[warmsecondrinse]

Cool! I never made the connection. I graduated from Northeastern

Re Chicago: One would have to research the history of the streets, squares, etc in both cities to see where the names came from. Could be fun but likely not answered by spending 10 minutes with google.

Jim

 

[davey7]

There's a great book about Chicago street names, has the old names of streets that either changed names when they were annexed or were changed for other reasons, such as anti-German sentiment during WWI.