Sears homes By whO

After the stock market crash in 1929, construction of these houses declined, in 1940
Sears printed its last Book of Modern Homes. For years these house were forgotten,
but in the 1980s, people looking for affordable housing began to rediscover kit
houses. In the past few decades, scholars and local historians have documented kit
houses throughout the United States. Still, many people live in kit houses without
knowing their unique origin and place in America's architectural and cultural
heritage. (Sources: Houses By Mail (Stevenson & Jandl);

1895–1900
Building supplies are sold through Sears, Roebuck and Company general catalog 1906

Sears considered closing its unprofitable building supplies department

Frank W. Kushel (formerly manager of the china department) took over the building supplies
department and realizes supplies can be shipped directly from the factory, thus saving
storage costs

1908
First specialty catalog issued for houses, Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans,
featuring 22 styles ranging in price from $650–2,500

The Crescent as offered in the Sears home catalog and an actual home, This particular home is
located at 100th and Parnel on Chicago's south west side.

According to Houses by Mail, over 100,000 kit houses were built in the United States between 1908
and 1940. Many people have lived in kit houses for years without realizing the historical and
architectural significance of their humble abodes. The aim of this page is to provide some basic
information on kit houses as well as to provide links to resources (both print and electronic) that
might be helpful to those who would like to learn more about these houses.

What are kit houses?
[top]

Aladdin Homes of Bay City, Michigan premiered the idea of kit houses in 1906. It wasn't until 1908
that the largest provider of kit houses, Sears, Roebuck and Co., building upon its earlier forays into
building materials and house plans, entered the market for complete kit houses. In the years that
followed, Wardway Homes (Montgomery Ward), Harris Homes of Chicago, the Ready Built House
Company, and Robinson's also got in on the kit home market.

<CLEAR=ALL>The Osborne, Model 2050, 1918.
Source: Sears Modern Homes.

Sears Roebuck is still the most well-known of kit home manufacturers, perhaps because of their
market share. Ordering directly from a catalog entitled Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans,
prospective buyers enjoyed the convenience and affordability of a pre-fabricated dwelling. The
purchaser would receive all of the necessary supplies in shipments by rail car (a typical house
could fit into two boxcars) for assembly either by the new homeowner or a local contractor. These
houses came in a wide variety of styles, designs and prices, although kit houses were generally
cheaper than traditional building options.

Following the stock market crash of 1929, the construction of these houses gradually declined and
in 1940 Sears printed its last Book of Modern Homes. For many years these house were slowly
forgotten, but in the 1980s, people looking for affordable housing began to discover kit houses. In
the past two decades, scholars and local historians have documented kit houses throughout the
United States. Still, many people live in kit houses without knowing their unique origin and place in
America's architectural and cultural heritage. (Sources: Houses By Mail (Stevenson & Jandl);

Sears Catalog home / The Osborn

This classic Sears home is owned by Carolyn Glass resident of the 34th ward since 1979. She has
completely restored here home and has put it on the market. Sadly concerns about neighborhood safety is
the cause of Ms Glass decision to sell here home of 26 years. I spoke with Carolyn Glass briefly as she
gave me a tour of her home. She is a beautiful kind hearted woman who will be missed when she moves
away. She is the kind of person we want to attract into our ward not run away.

Ms Glass was surprised to find out her home was a classic Sears honor built home from the sears home
catalog of 1926

This Home has been beautifully preserved and is one of the best built homes of its day. It sits on a large lot
and stands out from the other homes because of its craftsman style look. Long sweeping lines and angles.

Honor Bilt homes were the most expensive and finest quality sold by Sears. Joists, studs, and rafters were to be spaced
14 3/8 inches apart. Attractive cypress siding and cedar shingles adorned most Honor Bilt exteriors. And, depending on
the room, interiors featured clear-grade (i.e., knot-free) flooring and inside trim made from yellow pine, oak, or maple
wood. Sears’s catalogs also reported that Standard Built homes were best for warmer climates, meaning they did not
retain heat very well. The Simplex Sectional line, as the name implies, contained simple designs. Simplex houses were
frequently only a couple of rooms and were ideal for summer cottages.

The house shown above sits on 115th and Parnel in Chicago Ill.

Honor Bilt homes were the most expensive and finest quality sold by Sears. Joists, studs, and
rafters were to be spaced 14 3/8 inches apart. Attractive cypress siding and cedar shingles
adorned most Honor Bilt exteriors. And, depending on the room, interiors featured clear-grade
(i.e., knot-free) flooring and inside trim made from yellow pine, oak, or maple wood. Sears’s
catalogs also reported that Standard Built homes were best for warmer climates, meaning they
did not retain heat very well. The Simplex Sectional line, as the name implies, contained simple
designs. Simplex houses were frequently only a couple of rooms and were ideal for summer
cottages.