What is a Sears Home? In short, these were houses purchased out of the Sears Roebuck mail-order catalog. They were shipped to the rail station in 12,000 pieces (including a 75-page instruction book) and assembled by the aspiring homeowner. About 70,000 Sears homes were sold from 1908-1940.
Here is a home that happens to be in Annapolis, MD
1916 Sears catalog home. They shipped the entire house to you by railroad car. Sears was like Ikea before Ikea.
Friends and family would come from all around to help the owner build it.
Most were built in New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Sears sold more than 70,000 mail-order homes between 1908 and 1940. Some enthusiasts estimate that about 70% of Sears houses are still standing today.
Sears provided building plans and specifications, along with the lumber and any other materials needed. The shipment included everything from nails, screws, and paint to prebuilt building parts, such as staircases and dining nooks.
There are many other models that were featured in the Sears catalog. Here are just a few more examples.
There are many other models that were featured in the Sears catalog. Here are just a few more examples.
Images and Text Courtesy of Sears.com and Janice ConklinRoute 23 Life
