Sears Modern Homes
- Thread starter a440
- Start date
Help Support :
ovrphil
Well-known member
My good neighbors across the street from us in Berkley, MI had a Sears catalog home. It was a two bedroom, expanded by the owner to be a four bedroom. From the street, it was a white double pillared, step up to a covered porch. The new owners have updated it, so it no longer looks original. Years ago, I saw a book at Borders Bookstore - it was a catalog of Sears Kit Homes. Your photos of the Sears kit homes reminded me of the above, thanks. Imagine, $6K for a house?
wringer_clean
Well-known member
Seriously, it is hard to imagine such grand homes originated from a kit.
I think I could spend hours studying plans.
I'd love to go on a "dig" so to speak and search out homes with this origin.
Would be great fun.
psf
I think I could spend hours studying plans.
I'd love to go on a "dig" so to speak and search out homes with this origin.
Would be great fun.
psf
Our local historical society recently had a program on catalog homes, including Sears. There are a few within a ten block area, including the one next door to me. It's the "Solace" model, built circa 1930, a smaller bungalow type. There are many Sears homes in the Cincinnati area, as Sears had a manufacturing division (Norwood Sash & Door) in this area.
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
The show "History Detectives" on PBS a few years ago was investigating if a home in Collinsville, IL was a Sear's home.
It was, in fact a great deal of the original Collinsville was Sear's Kit homes built by the Standard Oil Company.
Many of the original homes still stand today, some with very little alterations, others hardly recognizable.
My Aunt and Uncle in Eldon, Mo built a pre-fab home, I Don't think it was a Sear's back in the late 50's early 60's. I remember them telling that it was all brought in on a big truck and they put it together themselves to save money.
It was, in fact a great deal of the original Collinsville was Sear's Kit homes built by the Standard Oil Company.
Many of the original homes still stand today, some with very little alterations, others hardly recognizable.
My Aunt and Uncle in Eldon, Mo built a pre-fab home, I Don't think it was a Sear's back in the late 50's early 60's. I remember them telling that it was all brought in on a big truck and they put it together themselves to save money.
Eric, your friend's blog was very interesting - read it all the other night, couldn't put it down! Thanks for the link.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Harley:
"My Aunt and Uncle in Eldon, Mo built a pre-fab home, I Don't think it was a Sear's back in the late 50's early 60's. I remember them telling that it was all brought in on a big truck and they put it together themselves to save money."
Could their house have been a Jim Walter home? The Jim Walter company specialized in pre-cut houses that were sold without interior finishing; while the company put the house together (as far as I know) the customer could finish it themselves to save money. You could also get Jim Walter to finish the interior at extra cost.
While I've never heard of Jim Walter houses being sold unassembled, anything's possible.
P.S.: You're talking to someone who keeps eyeing the local Lustrons.
"My Aunt and Uncle in Eldon, Mo built a pre-fab home, I Don't think it was a Sear's back in the late 50's early 60's. I remember them telling that it was all brought in on a big truck and they put it together themselves to save money."
Could their house have been a Jim Walter home? The Jim Walter company specialized in pre-cut houses that were sold without interior finishing; while the company put the house together (as far as I know) the customer could finish it themselves to save money. You could also get Jim Walter to finish the interior at extra cost.
While I've never heard of Jim Walter houses being sold unassembled, anything's possible.
P.S.: You're talking to someone who keeps eyeing the local Lustrons.
