tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37257433814947496672024-03-10T20:23:52.254-07:00Kit House HuntersA blog dedicated to rediscovering America's kit houses one home at a time. Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-81702217534423184472023-09-27T17:30:00.002-07:002023-09-27T17:31:10.514-07:00Berkley, Michigan Kit House Tour - September 30, 2023<p>Here's your chance to tour a half dozen kit houses in person! Six homes from Sears, Aladdin and Montgomery Ward will be open to tour. Berkley, Michigan is home to over 50 kit houses so there will be plenty more to see along the way. Advance tickets are $25 and can be <a href="https://berkleychamber.com/Kit_Homes_Tour">ordered online</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0L8hzD1LFytzgbGvS5QAJOFde4JaZb9TQ0SBfsC-Ij0xlA6-vUekJVoiHp9FQg8g8c_FTXFqkwAiTDBvhmCWswwQafAsyUuKI2qsJvIdynpRIRv35tQge2QZRFMBOp8qU_Ad2Hf1KWKaSr0viEXg7LqKcaxX5MsbI1s7qXYxS1p-INvgomkJuL6_bIuo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0L8hzD1LFytzgbGvS5QAJOFde4JaZb9TQ0SBfsC-Ij0xlA6-vUekJVoiHp9FQg8g8c_FTXFqkwAiTDBvhmCWswwQafAsyUuKI2qsJvIdynpRIRv35tQge2QZRFMBOp8qU_Ad2Hf1KWKaSr0viEXg7LqKcaxX5MsbI1s7qXYxS1p-INvgomkJuL6_bIuo=w413-h640" width="413" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-71647187723405738942023-03-31T12:03:00.003-07:002023-03-31T12:11:30.889-07:00Sears Clyde in Northville, Michigan<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge2GxIMSYjj2NWr8Vz27OBAvR1nIFTN-bqUztEBIvfMDzqfpYblxruh0X5yiZhrv7YU24vPhcNz4VH5QTm-qU38a1CbKhvz2u4CGNFEEPi9HbLkn_LocOlIHwx2_VfHcgIuVAtinZ40oeeN6p-yRhTO6E6hX08yOuWWmUCDIXe6VkNprdBB2X21X8M" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="875" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge2GxIMSYjj2NWr8Vz27OBAvR1nIFTN-bqUztEBIvfMDzqfpYblxruh0X5yiZhrv7YU24vPhcNz4VH5QTm-qU38a1CbKhvz2u4CGNFEEPi9HbLkn_LocOlIHwx2_VfHcgIuVAtinZ40oeeN6p-yRhTO6E6hX08yOuWWmUCDIXe6VkNprdBB2X21X8M=w200-h149" width="200" /></a></div>The "Sears" Clyde was a popular model for Sears Roebuck. First introduced in 1920, it continued to appear in the "Modern Homes" catalog through 1929. There are over 200 examples of this model in the National Database of Sears Homes, testifying to both its popularity and distinctive design. This example of the "Clyde" is located in Northville, Michigan and it was one of the first Sears houses I located in the city thanks to its distinctive Craftsman-style elements. It's a good example of what to look for when identifying the "Clyde" model. Let's take a look! <p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>One of the main spotting features are those oversized 5 piece eaves brackets. This bracket design appears on a number of models and this "Clyde" has them in all the appropriate places. </p><span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMLQuJMQLlVMxYW1kMgod46YaSYQ_HEj-Gk-tjh6mHG_F7no9VRSNBaVog-SNONvO6XWa9c-Uuk9YdvOiQ8C4SKVL9oyOiTk-j0lAoiC0MJS5__stdIQaAAugd1HoirjieSWTzq1um3X1-XQ8kn0cA98CHSiNqxvyQrqTrmiOe7cYFMtt0fkGm1eCC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1175" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMLQuJMQLlVMxYW1kMgod46YaSYQ_HEj-Gk-tjh6mHG_F7no9VRSNBaVog-SNONvO6XWa9c-Uuk9YdvOiQ8C4SKVL9oyOiTk-j0lAoiC0MJS5__stdIQaAAugd1HoirjieSWTzq1um3X1-XQ8kn0cA98CHSiNqxvyQrqTrmiOe7cYFMtt0fkGm1eCC=w400-h239" width="400" /></a></div><br />The earliest version of the "Clyde" was offered with two floor plans - one with a bathroom and one without! In 1925, Sears was only offering a single floor plan (with a bathroom). But two floor plans appeared again (both with bathrooms) in the later years, the main difference between the two models being the overall size of the house. This house is listed as being built in 1926 and follows the floor plan that appeared in the 1925 catalog. But that plan was offered every year the "Clyde" appeared in the catalog so we can't date it by that alone. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhahHnQH7wIIg80o0sypYltHrvTfPipJllIxCwOGq16-BsxXZ45NNCqMbwT33jpNqKQMMhmLBwYOglp0OdkkvLNqmZ2dN_7J8IpLyp2hkPf2AivOZPlOOr6Ylyl9UuPRamsLzBSI5DBdAnzkRcF0r661nIpIl-Dm_jK4Tkfh2j_PG-7C9FypsveIn-w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="965" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhahHnQH7wIIg80o0sypYltHrvTfPipJllIxCwOGq16-BsxXZ45NNCqMbwT33jpNqKQMMhmLBwYOglp0OdkkvLNqmZ2dN_7J8IpLyp2hkPf2AivOZPlOOr6Ylyl9UuPRamsLzBSI5DBdAnzkRcF0r661nIpIl-Dm_jK4Tkfh2j_PG-7C9FypsveIn-w=w400-h327" width="400" /></a></div><br />One variation from the standard plan is the extended porch roof (with its own bracket!) We've seen this kind of porch roof extension before on "Clydes" so it either was an off-the-book option offered to customers or an addition that some customers made to provide more cover. Another common variation we see with the "Clyde" is a bump-out on both sides of the house. As you can see from this view, the "Clyde" in Northville doesn't have a bump out on the right side. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv7yT5BACnzq2J0qafljHvaRyqUeSqIoO_zinFZY9GNZD4KQnf9u-hif3SDOWOjckeXureXwEeggxWC17gDcx8OD0QIXw6pB_dsEH7hyDfKpJep65NOiVYTqmvWJ2BJJvwoA52FBm4sv629zlDHR5VP8G6XD_1cMfyKj_RcsrTuiXi3yJJUt8XHDsZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="965" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv7yT5BACnzq2J0qafljHvaRyqUeSqIoO_zinFZY9GNZD4KQnf9u-hif3SDOWOjckeXureXwEeggxWC17gDcx8OD0QIXw6pB_dsEH7hyDfKpJep65NOiVYTqmvWJ2BJJvwoA52FBm4sv629zlDHR5VP8G6XD_1cMfyKj_RcsrTuiXi3yJJUt8XHDsZ=w400-h327" width="400" /></a></div><br />By the way, the "Clyde" name was first given to another model which originally appeared in the "Modern Homes" catalog as the No. 118. The No. 118 was also a popular model for Sears but there's absolutely no way anyone will ever confuse the two! Here's an example of what some people call the "Big Clyde" in Stevensville, Michigan.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5nYLyOlfVH9MPZrG3DsJJkhOLoSjNIp2Han2ropStt9HAV58jVZcS0aUvLp9Im-bVfSinesLR5e_glP-YNoZ9joU6dTnRizyeHQk6JO6jJcqaq3KrDtMqIwZ4r1okXJet6jFMRfynyWYTda_qhZ-HNHzrB-X153kzurLw4gyuI3ne48mKzwOEYkvq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5nYLyOlfVH9MPZrG3DsJJkhOLoSjNIp2Han2ropStt9HAV58jVZcS0aUvLp9Im-bVfSinesLR5e_glP-YNoZ9joU6dTnRizyeHQk6JO6jJcqaq3KrDtMqIwZ4r1okXJet6jFMRfynyWYTda_qhZ-HNHzrB-X153kzurLw4gyuI3ne48mKzwOEYkvq=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Northville's home to a number of kit houses, most of them from Sears. There's a cluster of them in the Oakland County half of the city in the "Oakwood" neighborhood (the city of Northville lies in two counties). But this Clyde, along with at least one other Sears house, is located in the Wayne County portion of the city, along with several other houses from other kit house manufacturers. It's located in a neighborhood that has a very diverse mix of houses ranging from homes built in the 1800s to modern homes that mimic designs of years past. Here's one more view of the house showing off the bump-out where the front bedroom is located on the floorplan. . <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO-YDQt5cFC3gzkfUyWaz2mgBBxrhWZGNoqkwLb6NKnf6Q6or-YnzPTshbvxcFNmLsnnJeJSudmGecqGj9pW48WtQ9nXs0wIfijyTJBKT3s15wlpMyD-RuaiucE07-04Ox7AyWLq30XjrHgoVkWH2aa3YHxE7_b1xoqCUiXppU1tFiLO8KAV_KwXiA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="875" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO-YDQt5cFC3gzkfUyWaz2mgBBxrhWZGNoqkwLb6NKnf6Q6or-YnzPTshbvxcFNmLsnnJeJSudmGecqGj9pW48WtQ9nXs0wIfijyTJBKT3s15wlpMyD-RuaiucE07-04Ox7AyWLq30XjrHgoVkWH2aa3YHxE7_b1xoqCUiXppU1tFiLO8KAV_KwXiA=w400-h297" width="400" /></a></div><br />I hope you enjoyed seeing this nice example of the "Clyde" in Northville, Michigan. Thank you for joining me and watch for more examples of Sears Modern Homes coming soon!<p></p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-76871446021085014702023-03-11T22:00:00.000-08:002023-03-11T22:00:02.808-08:00Sears Langston in The Bronx, New York City, New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio7nCiIUMP-yJlWJ3rMnQzsVU2ip9oQXB0HqhUTkoMN5Io9pUM63vJjeajyTcFxRFIey1riojWkMAu7oKX2Maa2T8uLkXVvLs3ncVJ08GUQLcTSrt1ELEs2DmyCZhnUU5i_d0jIXl40zs6F1yH7KVRqxtmImFZlM-BXwN8cXnLCClMwpLHXHCCNDvL" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="681" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio7nCiIUMP-yJlWJ3rMnQzsVU2ip9oQXB0HqhUTkoMN5Io9pUM63vJjeajyTcFxRFIey1riojWkMAu7oKX2Maa2T8uLkXVvLs3ncVJ08GUQLcTSrt1ELEs2DmyCZhnUU5i_d0jIXl40zs6F1yH7KVRqxtmImFZlM-BXwN8cXnLCClMwpLHXHCCNDvL=w200-h137" width="200" /></a></div>In January, I shared an example of a Sears "Rodessa" that was built in New York City, specifically in The Bronx. I wanted to share another example from The Bronx, this time a larger two story model, the "Langston". This house helps highlight some of the ways that we're able to track down Sears houses built in New York City. It also highlights some of the challenges in finding and identifying homes that in some cases were built over 100 years ago! Let's take a look! <div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>The Sears "Langston" was a very popular two story Foursquare-style model that was sold by Sears for a number of years. It first appeared in 1916 as the No. 181A. A couple years later, it became the "Langston" when Sears started naming their models. It kept that name and largely the same design until 1925 when Sears released a new model that largely mirrored the "Langston" but was renamed the "Gladstone". </div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6nBOA1hB6dUwMOwLcU8vUw0i4fmhRanBVJlovRu37KubPl3ERBBrPD-AJqVMZ6AUdThZ6qSR1pLM0nwnIpBmZLhdr8j_a-ocuwviafy8P7Tf3pUhpZ4BuSMHtl1UDw4rFDisW1JFlPaF-BhCpyMWHheU3PjGa8Z569ea1RF2aaJ7H-El74Cze_cHa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1151" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6nBOA1hB6dUwMOwLcU8vUw0i4fmhRanBVJlovRu37KubPl3ERBBrPD-AJqVMZ6AUdThZ6qSR1pLM0nwnIpBmZLhdr8j_a-ocuwviafy8P7Tf3pUhpZ4BuSMHtl1UDw4rFDisW1JFlPaF-BhCpyMWHheU3PjGa8Z569ea1RF2aaJ7H-El74Cze_cHa=w400-h301" width="400" /></a></div><br />My fellow kit house researched Judith Chabot did a <a href="https://www.searshouseseeker.com/2015/06/mckeesport-pa-sears-testimonial-house.html">deep dive into the history and design differences</a> between the various versions of these 2 models so make sure to give it a read if you're interested in learning more about those. Knowing those differences can help in identifying and dating examples of the "Langston" and the "Gladstone".</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKM0nlFABYzRhvr795bgTtDFT-4LL8IflJSUhUZbEZHDcdbhZH1RxQsMPcUf1mBrGzcwLvly9NC__SamMgJ9MJDmTVNnWgG3CcWX_q0RgazQtAxZsjpkmurBcM6ZVTmCYzechZqm3osRrASXs57bDE-64pedP2LPCDDCTt7-3CCDvGWQwbX1inQeso" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="523" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKM0nlFABYzRhvr795bgTtDFT-4LL8IflJSUhUZbEZHDcdbhZH1RxQsMPcUf1mBrGzcwLvly9NC__SamMgJ9MJDmTVNnWgG3CcWX_q0RgazQtAxZsjpkmurBcM6ZVTmCYzechZqm3osRrASXs57bDE-64pedP2LPCDDCTt7-3CCDvGWQwbX1inQeso=w400-h296" width="400" /></a></div><br />As you can see from this 2022 photo of the house on Williamsbridge Road, we would be hard pressed today to definitively identify whether it's a "Langston" or a "Gladstone". Seasoned Sears house researchers likely would have picked this house out from a drive-by in Google Streetview. But which model? It's hard to say! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizDSyyxO9fpG19e3NjFSbhhaqPNkV6QIWetIVGXetD0Zm6nW3SfUxLM3J2Zzh9j6xWS5XgvTB89gwCAh9KDDR9wO3HyV4cXza2WbctyRXT592ioVSn8mwtYnnzjBqlnjxVeabp8G341QDE2y_zzBkffhhvEKuLQRR-Ta0x6vi8T-b9v1utZaPzzork" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="708" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizDSyyxO9fpG19e3NjFSbhhaqPNkV6QIWetIVGXetD0Zm6nW3SfUxLM3J2Zzh9j6xWS5XgvTB89gwCAh9KDDR9wO3HyV4cXza2WbctyRXT592ioVSn8mwtYnnzjBqlnjxVeabp8G341QDE2y_zzBkffhhvEKuLQRR-Ta0x6vi8T-b9v1utZaPzzork=w400-h348" width="400" /></a></div><br />Fortunately for us, we have that awesome historic resource from New York City of the tax assessment photos taken in the 1940s. From the photo of this house, we can clearly see the Craftsman-style details that this model sported including those decorative columns and exposed rafter tails around the edge of the porch and main roof. The "Gladstone" didn't have those details so we know that this house was built no later than 1924. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvU5TiqYQhl1us26e8Wee-KfApfF2qfA9DwNE_kqDsUOgkEoUnFeLStlHHSrojwXoT_rFsiZaTaxplYhhBpDd1xzuZrMAsZDKKKG7e6pxF1T0LE1HqXdXtDyP3IPp3yPihBMmHJo8C5RczjZHcQzcZWBVaZiZYhJeaXkUm0xm3OWdXzBLx1ShBula5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="681" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvU5TiqYQhl1us26e8Wee-KfApfF2qfA9DwNE_kqDsUOgkEoUnFeLStlHHSrojwXoT_rFsiZaTaxplYhhBpDd1xzuZrMAsZDKKKG7e6pxF1T0LE1HqXdXtDyP3IPp3yPihBMmHJo8C5RczjZHcQzcZWBVaZiZYhJeaXkUm0xm3OWdXzBLx1ShBula5=w400-h274" width="400" /></a></div><br />You'll notice in 1940s photo that even back then, the house had half the porch enclosed. It's possible that this was a change that happened from when the house was originally built. But it's also possible that the house was originally built with that portion of the porch enclosed to create more living space. It wouldn't be the first Sears house that we've seen with that modification from the time it was built. Another detail about the 1940s photo that's interesting to see is how this house already looks a bit out of place from its surroundings. That contrast has only grown over the years as the city has grown up around it. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the 1940s tax photo, we know that the house is a "Langston". But what year was it built? For that detail, we're fortunate to have a building record for this house that reveals that detail and more. This record came from the digitized "<a href="https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/index.php">Real Estate Record and Guide</a>", which was a weekly publication of building activity in New York City and surrounding areas. The "Real Estate Record and Guide" was published for over 100 years and the years up through the early 1920s are available online through the <a href="https://library.columbia.edu/">Columbia University Library</a>. </div><div><br />I don't think every Sears house that was built in New York City was reported in the "Real Estate Record and Guide". But for those that were, we've had pretty good luck in tracking them down. Even for those that are no longer standing, the building permit record in the Guide can lead us to a photo of the house in the 1940s tax photos, which allows us to at least document the model that existed. In the case of the Langston, it was the June 1922 building permit record that led me to this house. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgtt50cDQl0UStU2-TEzG8cJGKJgBdj2RVC4tGzxzBFi3PDC_GzBi9VvryahzeSXcKVRF4RsMJnwOuItfszQCtTvqxSjtDFsTv2HUIcway-JpZ6cA2g8Qw17RxIKwdIQPe1L8MgKfnzTrwkDXX2imry4DcCmk-OaY6PBymItGxXRLyroSZj27n7_kY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="74" data-original-width="490" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgtt50cDQl0UStU2-TEzG8cJGKJgBdj2RVC4tGzxzBFi3PDC_GzBi9VvryahzeSXcKVRF4RsMJnwOuItfszQCtTvqxSjtDFsTv2HUIcway-JpZ6cA2g8Qw17RxIKwdIQPe1L8MgKfnzTrwkDXX2imry4DcCmk-OaY6PBymItGxXRLyroSZj27n7_kY=w400-h60" width="400" /></a></div><br />As you can see, the record reported in the "Real Estate Record and Guide" tell us quite a bit about the house. Those details include:<br /><br /></div><div> - Location: On the west side of Williamsbridge Road south of Colden Avenue<br /> - Attributes of the house: 2 story, frame dwelling, 24' x 24.7' in size with a shingle roof</div><div> - The cost of the house: $5,500 <br /> - The owner of the house and their current address: Tavaslav Vanek<br /> - The architect of the plans filed with the city and their location: Sears Roebuck at 115 5th Avenue, New York City </div><div><br />In some years, you may also see a builder or contractor listed if one was involved in building the house. In locations like New York City, it's much more likely that the house was built by a contractor versus the homeowner building it themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMb8LxBtMb5r4c-5C8jUbJDv9lLSXYTxAagDeMUmZZTHdGx4ARWW5tlf_wZcpww2W2lHdf8rN5oAHbrNRo6Wk3oJh055glVuJB_RePw6yRS3_wiU2NXBz0x_tmftIPp0OIUPIIhKxhutryao6dn6UP2qWw4VfaaMJ2kt8Usg92uR9d0V_n7a9ehc_o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="875" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMb8LxBtMb5r4c-5C8jUbJDv9lLSXYTxAagDeMUmZZTHdGx4ARWW5tlf_wZcpww2W2lHdf8rN5oAHbrNRo6Wk3oJh055glVuJB_RePw6yRS3_wiU2NXBz0x_tmftIPp0OIUPIIhKxhutryao6dn6UP2qWw4VfaaMJ2kt8Usg92uR9d0V_n7a9ehc_o=w342-h400" width="342" /></a></div><br />One thing to note about the Sears address in New York City. In the earlier years of the "Modern Homes" program, houses in New York City listed Chicago, Illinois as the address for Sears. Around 1921 - 1922, Sears opened a "Modern Homes" sales office in New York City that included a sales exhibit at 115 Fifth Avenue. The New York City address started appearing with Sears in records like this. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8jTPdkjXnDCaQvMsnfnWhO9b09jNiF7nc-qajMQkeHYI8A3t1K2O685CWhv4FDpbPw186DcWjQDquLRZ_vwAZ4WiER-naIlvIJnpF9BsDC8ZSHG8RtYXc2wDCiPd_vHE5dCEFcxxtOxrlGC55DXGKCd-zmHTTIpIIPgQUOCee1M5OUI-gLh_6v_jQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="853" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8jTPdkjXnDCaQvMsnfnWhO9b09jNiF7nc-qajMQkeHYI8A3t1K2O685CWhv4FDpbPw186DcWjQDquLRZ_vwAZ4WiER-naIlvIJnpF9BsDC8ZSHG8RtYXc2wDCiPd_vHE5dCEFcxxtOxrlGC55DXGKCd-zmHTTIpIIPgQUOCee1M5OUI-gLh_6v_jQ=w400-h100" width="400" /></a></div><br />From that record, it's the listing of Sears Roebuck as the architect that helps us "authenticate" this house as a Sears house. While I would feel very confident about identifying this house as being from Sears based on the photo evidence, authentication requires a higher level of certainty which typically we get from some kind of written document - a mortgage record or deed, blueprints, a bill of materials, newspaper article or in this case, a building record that references Sears Roebuck as the architect. As I shared in my post about "<a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-great-sears-paper-trail.html">The Great Sears Paper Trail</a>", even though Sears discarded their sales records, there's still a lot of paper records, many of which have now been digitized, that can help us find and authenticate the Sears houses that still stand (and document those that were lost to time). </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for joining me! I plan on sharing more examples of Sears homes in New York City in the near future. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-1769585412069981402023-02-28T20:12:00.007-08:002023-03-02T08:14:24.510-08:00Where are the Sears Houses - February 2023 Edition<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOK9-5zc2bEyuXM8FHzgBOb8T_KQw17_lQ1vwOqrOYDjg5laV37V_cBckqviwI_iA1ErE2BZzXWCQf9LjXjhqc141j3-nHtNgMk0dUht9qVF9cANajVOrdNyWgJn3lDDIY09DLTPuQ9dmgCqnXEhsj7p-Hon1Wd2xLGLhfChQNEQ7Mvxhq95Xzk-cp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="384" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOK9-5zc2bEyuXM8FHzgBOb8T_KQw17_lQ1vwOqrOYDjg5laV37V_cBckqviwI_iA1ErE2BZzXWCQf9LjXjhqc141j3-nHtNgMk0dUht9qVF9cANajVOrdNyWgJn3lDDIY09DLTPuQ9dmgCqnXEhsj7p-Hon1Wd2xLGLhfChQNEQ7Mvxhq95Xzk-cp=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Americus - Temple, PA</b></td></tr></tbody></table>It's been about 3 months since the last update of "Where are the Sears Houses?" With the winter weather and the holidays, the pace of discoveries slowed down a bit compared to the last two updates but not by much! Over the past 7 months, we've added over 1,500 new houses to the National Database of Sears Homes. It's been a pretty impressive pace. We'll see if we can keep it going into 2023. Meanwhile, let's see what all these new houses have done to the line up of places where Sears houses have been located. Let's take a look! <p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Here is the breakdown of location of houses by state based on approximately 16,000 homes in the database. </p><p>As of the date we passed 16,000 houses, Sears houses have been located in 48 states, the District of Columbia and the Provinces of Alberta and Ontario, Canada. The last 2 states outstanding are Arizona and Hawaii. </p><p>The following is a breakdown of the states that have the largest number of identified Sears homes.</p><p>1. Ohio (3400+ homes): Ohio added over 140 new homes since the last update taking it past 3400 homes. Ohio continues to account for over 21% of the houses on the list.</p><p>2. Illinois (2500+ homes): Illinois is so close to 2,600 homes! I know it will pass it at the next update. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBqU5NFuYORDhzYlQpw2caJkHddIZVbCuX8jpZ_rNTA01-d8gOxQ963y-3POg0KPtoL_EjyzDhvN7a1fL9_EZpK3aanWqfZfHUuJQmCzRtFkwnT8ARJ6wiVWh-CdScnMSOGgcnh_VmBOC92qLPMDOsgo9sCX_VjRgaAmnTSjrPISqenipZHGue5Ch0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="384" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBqU5NFuYORDhzYlQpw2caJkHddIZVbCuX8jpZ_rNTA01-d8gOxQ963y-3POg0KPtoL_EjyzDhvN7a1fL9_EZpK3aanWqfZfHUuJQmCzRtFkwnT8ARJ6wiVWh-CdScnMSOGgcnh_VmBOC92qLPMDOsgo9sCX_VjRgaAmnTSjrPISqenipZHGue5Ch0=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Altona - Pekin, IL</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>3. Pennsylvania (2200+ homes): Pennsylvania added 40 new homes as it cleared the 2,200 home mark. </p><p>4. New York (1900+ homes): After Ohio, New York was the second biggest mover on the list with over 140 new homes added to its total. It's rapidly closing in on 2,000 homes. </p><p>5. Michigan (1100+ homes): Michigan didn't add many new homes but it's still solidly in fifth place. <br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7ZcGCer7oCaazCCF8GJhEbyBcM25Ip6kkv1TLnERfN3gSdFUpHIAKCuZGW8smcYZ9IZt2_xT8VtlHnYRnQiHAM4pACgXwkP87jGah65GrO6I4VFZlu_bhq2jmtFjovTvhkRrhdPoPq8b9oZMJ0o2OX2_FO5dX6jOpFoeHPA4ktQRfOCEwFjimRDlZ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="960" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7ZcGCer7oCaazCCF8GJhEbyBcM25Ip6kkv1TLnERfN3gSdFUpHIAKCuZGW8smcYZ9IZt2_xT8VtlHnYRnQiHAM4pACgXwkP87jGah65GrO6I4VFZlu_bhq2jmtFjovTvhkRrhdPoPq8b9oZMJ0o2OX2_FO5dX6jOpFoeHPA4ktQRfOCEwFjimRDlZ=w400-h214" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Mitchell - Bethlehem, PA</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />6. Indiana (1000+): Indiana is the latest addition to the 1,000 home club as it had the third highest number of new homes since the last update. <p></p><p>7. New Jersey (800+): While it didn't add as many homes as it did in the last update, New Jersey keeps up a steady march to 900 homes. </p><p>8. Maryland (350+): Maryland is holding steady at 8th place as it keeps adding homes.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw8EpHG2XWxRW1R4SYnkskugdx1WHgO91e8Fg2cNCdJt4G7gqIZA9nJB4aILp51RhYiWGHBd3OanlP0WABkAktkx6Nfj64SeT-mbR1nrsAxxcgUHUJz6KfI1Rwv75V-YnI_eERHXEF5jjYSKelJiqu7SjnK3FFVWCu5CKfLF7zhsTX5beeLniJjPhY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="715" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw8EpHG2XWxRW1R4SYnkskugdx1WHgO91e8Fg2cNCdJt4G7gqIZA9nJB4aILp51RhYiWGHBd3OanlP0WABkAktkx6Nfj64SeT-mbR1nrsAxxcgUHUJz6KfI1Rwv75V-YnI_eERHXEF5jjYSKelJiqu7SjnK3FFVWCu5CKfLF7zhsTX5beeLniJjPhY=w400-h229" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Kilbourne - Rock Hill, SC</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />9. Virginia (350+): Virginia continues to keep up with Maryland as they both get closer to 400 homes. <p></p><p>10. Washington DC (299): The District took a step back this update with the loss of 4 homes to demolition, an unfortunate reality in a city with a lot of development pressure. </p><p>11. Kentucky (250+): Kentucky added 14 new homes as it closes in on 300 and a potential move up the list. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUnLW-qhNS8VKS-za_wkOP88QhKxBNEuS5ZrpDg5Qc0RkKTSVFTlYfkpzXcO71yrl37OD3qF6bvckZsN1qCliGUD1YNwGCBy50gSDu289cbVUuTMuO205TYobjUjyCcDuoEBvX6NzHUuMOiKTDNbjMwvOZKpHRsal_3j0XSd7PkUEG8aN_MRutmojv" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1012" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUnLW-qhNS8VKS-za_wkOP88QhKxBNEuS5ZrpDg5Qc0RkKTSVFTlYfkpzXcO71yrl37OD3qF6bvckZsN1qCliGUD1YNwGCBy50gSDu289cbVUuTMuO205TYobjUjyCcDuoEBvX6NzHUuMOiKTDNbjMwvOZKpHRsal_3j0XSd7PkUEG8aN_MRutmojv=w400-h229" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Hazelton - Portsmouth, NH</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>12. Wisconsin (250+): Wisconsin continued to hold onto 12th place in this update. </p><p>13. Connecticut (200+): Connecticut added another 22 homes in this update as it closes in on 250 homes. </p><p>14. Massachusetts (100+): Massachusetts added a handful of homes taking it ever closer to 150 homes. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxum7I8MR96fsAV5B77zaXJ3PoqBJgwJfswx7sLEua9Q3A1HF9CDMtrmEImHM3BXTTlN55hDtVn7_5vEnvjU0hBssqbZNpYnhSagrCJhKLGGm288C0Fe2yEskbDVZKqjOZJCUEKb59stAww_7ZBzzaEpsFWuZaF_1QxWcOQgRdH5QTM60evAAqI_bI" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxum7I8MR96fsAV5B77zaXJ3PoqBJgwJfswx7sLEua9Q3A1HF9CDMtrmEImHM3BXTTlN55hDtVn7_5vEnvjU0hBssqbZNpYnhSagrCJhKLGGm288C0Fe2yEskbDVZKqjOZJCUEKb59stAww_7ZBzzaEpsFWuZaF_1QxWcOQgRdH5QTM60evAAqI_bI=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Concord - Republic, OH</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />15. Missouri (100+): Missouri and West Virginia are tied for 15th place with 122 homes. Which one will take the lead at the next update?<p></p><p>15. West Virginia (100+): All tied up with Missouri!</p><p>17. Iowa (100+): Iowa didn't add any new homes this update but it's still within shouting distance of Missouri and West Virginia. </p><p>Currently, there are 17 states where at least 100 Sears houses have been located. The top 10 states account for 86% of the total number of houses on the list. This percentage has dropped again since the last update as the next 10 states on the list have grown in terms of the total number of homes located in those states. </p><p>The national database of Sears Modern Homes is the collective work of a number of kit house researchers located across the country. The sources of the information in the database include the personal work of those researchers, the work of other kit house researchers, publicly available resources including newspapers and websites and information provided by home owners and other members of the public with an interest in kit houses.</p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-50797388542316892202023-01-30T19:22:00.006-08:002023-01-31T07:17:00.246-08:00Sears Rodessa in The Bronx, New York City, New York<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ-r2_9Pbprxt_hbFAP1VAfJk2qI0YIVJ6ilk1MsnjdmTcAzzK3kLa5LadKT2haNuvoA5AB5ENLdh-botFMgphohpVLfT3d5Z9rbTTtMZoqLYu3EgnqiUt3WmHxgnYzj5qSqiTNkDpGdlzgUTsOskHZImUyxK1m5trPKjqh2TCXFI4lwJlzHvzjdlz" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="646" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ-r2_9Pbprxt_hbFAP1VAfJk2qI0YIVJ6ilk1MsnjdmTcAzzK3kLa5LadKT2haNuvoA5AB5ENLdh-botFMgphohpVLfT3d5Z9rbTTtMZoqLYu3EgnqiUt3WmHxgnYzj5qSqiTNkDpGdlzgUTsOskHZImUyxK1m5trPKjqh2TCXFI4lwJlzHvzjdlz=w200-h164" width="200" /></a></div>One of the last places that most people would think to find Sears houses is in New York City. "New York City?!" Yes, the home of skyscrapers, subways, brownstones and Central Park is also home to Sears houses - almost 150 of them identified to date. While many of us picture Times Square as the quintessential New York City setting, the reality is that New York City is a geographically big city - over 300 square miles in size. Large swaths of the city were developed as the "suburbs" of the high rises of Manhattan, particularly during the years when kit houses were most popular, and on these streets, we've found quite a few Sears houses. Let's take a look! <p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>To date, we've found Sears houses in 4 of the 5 boroughs (still looking for one in Manhattan). The Bronx, the northernmost of the boroughs, has the second largest number of identified Sears houses of the 5 boroughs. I wasn't too surprised by that because Westchester County which lies directly north of The Bronx (including the City of Yonkers), is homes to hundreds of Sears homes. But considering the growth that all parts of New York City have experienced over the past 100 years, it's still exciting to find Sears houses wherever we find them in the city. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFSnNmlWlbwm7aZEJ8ps9ZHDw7T09jCqzOi3g92IcRWKpfRMxHbiwdkrOtLR5ngwc4_JIs5hktzl8uA6yuuMZSj6jYiD_H7dpLLiKDD897my-P7rnoAl26c0gFKroQTNnBnLgea1fiARonUXjbrDJMRgaKHRa5smdm9n2UqRN6R74Rp-2XlPdwFVM2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="183" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFSnNmlWlbwm7aZEJ8ps9ZHDw7T09jCqzOi3g92IcRWKpfRMxHbiwdkrOtLR5ngwc4_JIs5hktzl8uA6yuuMZSj6jYiD_H7dpLLiKDD897my-P7rnoAl26c0gFKroQTNnBnLgea1fiARonUXjbrDJMRgaKHRa5smdm9n2UqRN6R74Rp-2XlPdwFVM2=w200-h122" width="200" /></a></div></div><br />What I love about this example of the Sears Rodessa on Wickham Avenue is how much of the original details can still be seen on this house. Having viewed most of the houses found in New York City, I can tell you that most of them have been altered to one degree or another, sometimes to the point that it's difficult to see the original lines of the house. But not this house! Decorative bargeboards, rafter tails and the trellis work on the porch columns - all original details that often disappear after 100 years. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaWrdHAzpViJG5vchMD8qyFiSTsKUYMyg_xF0rqu3XEy_0EImGtQ6DVpqFsmGg0Re9GtNH1lSxxaay29K0nkrbP4vw-kf-w_VvYd0x6tm8gwc4588nm54sqJHiWRGvOaTZ7Fz-W8z5PmUWxKYfBnHjHBKK4gQUbnorlWqvDM6kcfts0ULDYoC_jitz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="472" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaWrdHAzpViJG5vchMD8qyFiSTsKUYMyg_xF0rqu3XEy_0EImGtQ6DVpqFsmGg0Re9GtNH1lSxxaay29K0nkrbP4vw-kf-w_VvYd0x6tm8gwc4588nm54sqJHiWRGvOaTZ7Fz-W8z5PmUWxKYfBnHjHBKK4gQUbnorlWqvDM6kcfts0ULDYoC_jitz=w400-h269" width="400" /></a></div><br />Another cool aspect of finding Sears houses in New York City is that the city maintains an archive of photos taking in the 1940s and 1980s for tax assessments. These photos allow you to view a snapshot in time of a building as it appeared at various points in its history. As you can see from the 1940s photo of the Rodessa on Wickham Avenue, it looked largely the same as when it was built and it hasn't changed much over the past 100 or so years. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO8e_3kTre3XcEE7AXlEeoFe9L4VfnLhNl8BQvxwkoXiD32M97jnGUwcgqnUpKo3LqAEJHOlqKvUGK0ynOEZ370FV8ySPGcawVtbOCZ9mfWA7D-cQ1shnUZJOpHJKCWyjF_foL2EiTF5HBynPOJDWW6ZAxiMzCUbIPdezuop15pQC1iOV6T2v2UcPE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="646" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO8e_3kTre3XcEE7AXlEeoFe9L4VfnLhNl8BQvxwkoXiD32M97jnGUwcgqnUpKo3LqAEJHOlqKvUGK0ynOEZ370FV8ySPGcawVtbOCZ9mfWA7D-cQ1shnUZJOpHJKCWyjF_foL2EiTF5HBynPOJDWW6ZAxiMzCUbIPdezuop15pQC1iOV6T2v2UcPE=w400-h329" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of the City of New York, New York</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here's a couple more views of the Rodessa showing how well it matches up with the catalog image. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9YLgWLUhFrTexAMNW3az-OlxFe6115WtE4FJzR5BOn4WlSJIDCwRU808JAQ9eKUGbCyPty4SDhiuCfQkRndHXshNlFZ7dA-m9hFyovi39tAtSeNyOiox4L9XI7PWLn7VIxgQGH4BFfoqVbe7cZsFRzMwOAND-_feHr1sZ5v2tfNnY5fPPbiqS69Ht" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="560" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9YLgWLUhFrTexAMNW3az-OlxFe6115WtE4FJzR5BOn4WlSJIDCwRU808JAQ9eKUGbCyPty4SDhiuCfQkRndHXshNlFZ7dA-m9hFyovi39tAtSeNyOiox4L9XI7PWLn7VIxgQGH4BFfoqVbe7cZsFRzMwOAND-_feHr1sZ5v2tfNnY5fPPbiqS69Ht=w400-h241" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ7WZIWekDL_ZofysJ44IUs9FrQnJyVr-djUgAqWkv5E9ny7j045ZpvPXmhZZwfF-IJXAp3UagcVc8YmKeV3vki4IUDj29iu2KzjaYi2fxPaxolr_Vi64qeJw1FmaDtO07IvCMh3OyVHV6Y0_KU_8IKhzZLZ6GHeYy0JjY8b-TUboYc5C-UB_gXL4O" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="621" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ7WZIWekDL_ZofysJ44IUs9FrQnJyVr-djUgAqWkv5E9ny7j045ZpvPXmhZZwfF-IJXAp3UagcVc8YmKeV3vki4IUDj29iu2KzjaYi2fxPaxolr_Vi64qeJw1FmaDtO07IvCMh3OyVHV6Y0_KU_8IKhzZLZ6GHeYy0JjY8b-TUboYc5C-UB_gXL4O=w400-h231" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhprRQUiRZ_vAlLRBnp1dFYjF1GJO3OOsqzweqWUOCcpEKFysKOiykHYsMKHOKag2z7TSGiXXy-_pgBYLvoRoRL8IPAFmKou_jdyDyjYHh4chpaZ4ltyyw7RUJSTaG8cLcZ2XjCmclrVElGkga74MGnlV_XnkiPsOUI5Xn3PI4xHqjBfTuHgB4W_pdN"><img alt="" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="800" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhprRQUiRZ_vAlLRBnp1dFYjF1GJO3OOsqzweqWUOCcpEKFysKOiykHYsMKHOKag2z7TSGiXXy-_pgBYLvoRoRL8IPAFmKou_jdyDyjYHh4chpaZ4ltyyw7RUJSTaG8cLcZ2XjCmclrVElGkga74MGnlV_XnkiPsOUI5Xn3PI4xHqjBfTuHgB4W_pdN=w400-h269" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIBRz47SUwPfpktn3jKVv7EJ5fWD6X8aUsTP98dnG4cuNbgS0S9Im4AEfC1oRnQxoOqRG2A6ERR_GAbGl39Y4amqwtEJaAFGKfaQXeAz5eSb_GJbPpl5dP0W83XtrFCLcg6g9FUWunhHRHWfZXJ3wEoFwgskT-pmxzUvGmssGrgsTyvmT3tk4K8gaf"><img alt="" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="498" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIBRz47SUwPfpktn3jKVv7EJ5fWD6X8aUsTP98dnG4cuNbgS0S9Im4AEfC1oRnQxoOqRG2A6ERR_GAbGl39Y4amqwtEJaAFGKfaQXeAz5eSb_GJbPpl5dP0W83XtrFCLcg6g9FUWunhHRHWfZXJ3wEoFwgskT-pmxzUvGmssGrgsTyvmT3tk4K8gaf=w400-h249" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>Thank you for joining me! I plan on sharing more examples of Sears homes in New York City in the near future. <br /><br /><p></p></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-45026886447968191402023-01-24T11:48:00.006-08:002023-01-24T11:55:50.808-08:00Aladdin Pomona in Wheatland, Wyoming<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRQw_P-4rwgOJCSZ6XRSX0YKaZKD7YJ69bSO2oIK7XsyPgaYmmvD00Jy8ejbinsmbceV3rNL0Dskst3SqhX_Ck-6KUnh0tTiq-ee54e_32RGrOC27CtroDulYopc_iltF7thLiSrteA6G54iZqvXYjfc83SeOScafdjDxiyC3XUEIZu6BbCCOg4ZO6" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="787" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRQw_P-4rwgOJCSZ6XRSX0YKaZKD7YJ69bSO2oIK7XsyPgaYmmvD00Jy8ejbinsmbceV3rNL0Dskst3SqhX_Ck-6KUnh0tTiq-ee54e_32RGrOC27CtroDulYopc_iltF7thLiSrteA6G54iZqvXYjfc83SeOScafdjDxiyC3XUEIZu6BbCCOg4ZO6=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></div>Before this month, the national database of Aladdin houses didn't include any houses in Wyoming. We knew that houses (and garages and a barn!) had been sold to customers in Wyoming from the years of the sales index that we've reviewed. But no specific houses had been located either from searches based on the sales index or in searches we've done looking for houses from other kit house companies (it's not unusual to run across houses from one company while you're looking for houses from another). But that changed when I started looking specifically for houses in Wyoming that were listed on the sales index. While I didn't find all the houses on the list, I found several including an Aladdin Pomona in Wheatland, Wyoming. Let's take a look! <p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Wyoming today is a very rural state of under 600,000 residents, making it the least populated of all the United States. Wyoming's most populous city, Cheyenne, has less than 64,000 residents. In 1920, a period when kit houses were gaining in popularity, Wyoming had fewer than 200,000 residents. Low population and low density typically means we don't expect to find a lot of kit houses. The ones that were sold likely ended up in small, rural towns or on farms and ranches in proximity to rail lines that would have been in existence at the time (and may or may not still be in operation). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTwNiFw8uDYG7MBGsU7FOK9-ZQmvVtAf9TD8xxq1539Cs5eM_PXBG9EGf_p7JFWEARai81hDUurxt5hyOERQw9BCpOXRbf_3LLRt3uYx6nycC2aamWtQ86u8UbUgm7R50vgZ-KV7kfHAq377He8_a_kW-_crXuvYKeO9eHvRkTPVB8qTMvH1AexuJv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="800" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTwNiFw8uDYG7MBGsU7FOK9-ZQmvVtAf9TD8xxq1539Cs5eM_PXBG9EGf_p7JFWEARai81hDUurxt5hyOERQw9BCpOXRbf_3LLRt3uYx6nycC2aamWtQ86u8UbUgm7R50vgZ-KV7kfHAq377He8_a_kW-_crXuvYKeO9eHvRkTPVB8qTMvH1AexuJv=w400-h280" width="400" /></a></div><br />Even when homes were built in developed areas, the Census records at the time, which is one of our primary ways of locating houses sold by Aladdin, may not provide the level of detail necessary to pin down owners to a specific address. I sometimes have to resort to searching a town street-by-street (if the Google Streetview camera has been through town), looking for a specific model house. It all can make for a challenging search and often times, we end up empty handed. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDXaBh1KOB0pYya4fNqsYSX7ffB6p1d8ff1JltSXgGzJ59hhQqQ2D_aUFwK0Lk1RVd0OaNqvNvF0QzfKZCGsBBO8OpdipWbNomYk6mni5pJ8lefHh8OSNxKNAnEjqrlO5mY_8gL5WBJuidXELMYwNhi0iOFV6VVM3swwXBIg0FzzcKG1B2YrWt8hU/s1772/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1772" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDXaBh1KOB0pYya4fNqsYSX7ffB6p1d8ff1JltSXgGzJ59hhQqQ2D_aUFwK0Lk1RVd0OaNqvNvF0QzfKZCGsBBO8OpdipWbNomYk6mni5pJ8lefHh8OSNxKNAnEjqrlO5mY_8gL5WBJuidXELMYwNhi0iOFV6VVM3swwXBIg0FzzcKG1B2YrWt8hU/w400-h244/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>In the case of sales order #15038 for a Pomona #1 in Wheatland, Wyoming, I was looking for the home sold to J. R. Mason in 1919. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFwANSy_dzyhv9ODdjsdqqRgrgeREPvh0ZcDiMSlbsaZLZCmLew3R2Z1OY6zTcCnhNaWIVtYgZfqTnx5D8o1MoYmXlxPK1ufr9gcmkdsuCISKJ_9LZzlXN6YaCxpX1fACNcZ6u-cyZSIkcbpxOmYBGhDqXIUcyZLBG_v9M9qr0XWTCkwWodwI0Z-sM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="1256" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFwANSy_dzyhv9ODdjsdqqRgrgeREPvh0ZcDiMSlbsaZLZCmLew3R2Z1OY6zTcCnhNaWIVtYgZfqTnx5D8o1MoYmXlxPK1ufr9gcmkdsuCISKJ_9LZzlXN6YaCxpX1fACNcZ6u-cyZSIkcbpxOmYBGhDqXIUcyZLBG_v9M9qr0XWTCkwWodwI0Z-sM=w400-h54" width="400" /></a></div><br />I started my search at Ancestry.com with a general search for J.R. Mason in Wheatland, Wyoming. In the 1920 Census, I found a John R. Mason in Wheatland but he was renting a house on Spruce St. Next up was the 1930 Census and he was now living in a house on 10th Street in Wheatland valued at $10,000. The next entry on my search results in Ancestry.com showed an obituary for J. R. Mason in 1935 so I knew he wouldn't show up in the 1940 Census. But his widow, Martha did, still on 10th Street but without an address. I also checked for any local city directories but didn't find any. I wasn't surprised by that as many small communities didn't have directories and even when they did, they often just listed a street name for residents and not specific addresses. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjST7V1IST0ZwDZajy93Nx9pMX-ND82ogdQ8CQl1jDh5Lh5PD0MX53VrhFKWq_IdqIuhY4o38FJ5eO44Vqd5EP6gihNCp3XXXsJFTUoFdUeRsD9wQcNROFRxtyUtxBvwGzMiaBMgqFWLoypAJK87OSSSmmgvoZ-snymZxa44ec-aI8FkR9_602IvlIH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="833" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjST7V1IST0ZwDZajy93Nx9pMX-ND82ogdQ8CQl1jDh5Lh5PD0MX53VrhFKWq_IdqIuhY4o38FJ5eO44Vqd5EP6gihNCp3XXXsJFTUoFdUeRsD9wQcNROFRxtyUtxBvwGzMiaBMgqFWLoypAJK87OSSSmmgvoZ-snymZxa44ec-aI8FkR9_602IvlIH=w400-h64" width="400" /></a></div><br />I at least had a starting point - 10th Street - for a potential owner. I didn't know that the J. R. Mason I found was the J. R. Mason that had purchased the Aladdin house but being in a small town (Wheatland had a population of 1,336 residents in 1920), the odds were with me that they were one and the same. <div><br /></div><div>Another perk of searching a small town like Wheatland is its small size. When I jumped over to Google Streetview, I found I was in luck. The entire town had been photographed in Streetview. And, 10th Street was only about 13 blocks long, running north-south through Wheatland. </div><div><br /></div><div>I started my survey of 10th Street at the south end of town and headed north. A little over halfway through town, I spotted what I was looking for - an Aladdin Pomona at 1000 10th Street!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6RCKsfjuIZhQDagDbqwvC15MeyYIt0TlNeeS2uGNgM-x8MlsOoquThqYBMfLQUsnD17B0oZfPYi6DNAs92fwagOZuzvbc7hnAF6ulThjsrxeyTs97KoFrpxOffUboLIbLLPCU_k5Lgby2iS03eN83mA4ybn1Md2f7WXQDA7sAc3D0IWDgciZZEa7G" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="774" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6RCKsfjuIZhQDagDbqwvC15MeyYIt0TlNeeS2uGNgM-x8MlsOoquThqYBMfLQUsnD17B0oZfPYi6DNAs92fwagOZuzvbc7hnAF6ulThjsrxeyTs97KoFrpxOffUboLIbLLPCU_k5Lgby2iS03eN83mA4ybn1Md2f7WXQDA7sAc3D0IWDgciZZEa7G=w400-h324" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Of course, I had to finish my route up 10th Street just in case there was another one (yes, it happens!) Once I finished my survey of 10th Street, I circled back to check out the Pomona. </div><div><br /></div><div>The views in Google Streetview were pretty good but I always check to see if there's a real estate listing with photos of the house and in fact, there was one from 2020 for this house. It provides better views of the house than we can get from Streetview so I'm using a few of those photos here. From the front of the house, we can see that the house hasn't changed much since it was built over 100 years ago. We love seeing those brackets that were a detail on several Aladdin models. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBzbgs33-rzcTNbyv1jschB3NMNfKZKYwR9zRbjC54V3tKUEgrQnzKBmYIin8sSyasgDDW0XWXJ74FB4lLW4CiV2z9bZsFJhgnwTsG5QjISYZAkxbbY3HyFGKKWbr-SpSpupS2XinSaX8-lHfVbzH6nJl71fhj3sCWfkCUuiX-SYZx1yYqen9YUYmY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="787" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBzbgs33-rzcTNbyv1jschB3NMNfKZKYwR9zRbjC54V3tKUEgrQnzKBmYIin8sSyasgDDW0XWXJ74FB4lLW4CiV2z9bZsFJhgnwTsG5QjISYZAkxbbY3HyFGKKWbr-SpSpupS2XinSaX8-lHfVbzH6nJl71fhj3sCWfkCUuiX-SYZx1yYqen9YUYmY=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4_eD8fzreCpR_GjKxyE9WRcFsO2Otf_c8Ovpmrve4vomJlzqAKPaVCcnrHC8iaxwBt-rNQgTgC8gr_NYh3iFkUmsvTI4_6ia2JdT8_pJShj2-juJCz6s3cjHXYnIQkZ0b5agj2MWVC4uEL9vQvUylKY6Ivuu8Yjh-ZkidtV3gPVysIYZyPG1aFg3H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="729" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4_eD8fzreCpR_GjKxyE9WRcFsO2Otf_c8Ovpmrve4vomJlzqAKPaVCcnrHC8iaxwBt-rNQgTgC8gr_NYh3iFkUmsvTI4_6ia2JdT8_pJShj2-juJCz6s3cjHXYnIQkZ0b5agj2MWVC4uEL9vQvUylKY6Ivuu8Yjh-ZkidtV3gPVysIYZyPG1aFg3H=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>The Pomona has a bay window on each side of the house - this one is for the dining room. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgISYCAY9nHWYCKFkBpO_2YCPuN60RBsSXPOXNFjBn5qX2bhOSIi2BmsAnUC9zu_FKwcudki3S6kWSTy-4YbMfrmuUw7Ym7lbc6Ajk7sI5CXTNAideJW5CYsh7QQ9sxI02FGvhS8P0vD44ONhC0DE8k_fliH3K53BuDz6uOmG_YSTUj2gF4XiN569C8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="1223" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgISYCAY9nHWYCKFkBpO_2YCPuN60RBsSXPOXNFjBn5qX2bhOSIi2BmsAnUC9zu_FKwcudki3S6kWSTy-4YbMfrmuUw7Ym7lbc6Ajk7sI5CXTNAideJW5CYsh7QQ9sxI02FGvhS8P0vD44ONhC0DE8k_fliH3K53BuDz6uOmG_YSTUj2gF4XiN569C8=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />From the rear of the house, where a small addition has been added, the Pomona very much looks like the Sears "Vallonia". </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOuHaAaikC4cx7o8E4xAHa4cEyDU4mQw4PT3dsXtumVEsz6JiPVnu7e_3_RsagIByW-e6WxTBi7HqAB09M52eoaM3y8wRouoiD_Heg7lLe-qethfLDKvdpWBgBQxnj5SsWXxB3NY_-U2wX6GMLiea3Egq-ANbcLb7mz5LvE2v6EdtoHJS2SrIzgKQg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOuHaAaikC4cx7o8E4xAHa4cEyDU4mQw4PT3dsXtumVEsz6JiPVnu7e_3_RsagIByW-e6WxTBi7HqAB09M52eoaM3y8wRouoiD_Heg7lLe-qethfLDKvdpWBgBQxnj5SsWXxB3NY_-U2wX6GMLiea3Egq-ANbcLb7mz5LvE2v6EdtoHJS2SrIzgKQg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />The bonus for us that comes with this house is that it still has its original "Peerless" garage! In reviewing the sales index, we see quite a few examples of owners ordering a garage to go with their house. The order for the garage was entered separately from the house and sometimes, they don't appear sequentially in the index, which was the case with this garage, sales order #15078. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUIUHWijHzNN65kV31AqZfXul6kigqrqV3vnrRu7mmzPKDv-Z66zektsEZxMlcLXAwr3uTLyzRXEujc352bniTF0oDmtceeM-s-irS6pM7ExGJ1QSMMWJYrfzJceSr7xQnBOSIwy5I_LhxIoD_IwgmnGDEK57za_ktX2DWATSf-UmtfhU40NO4Nzbb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="126" data-original-width="1314" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUIUHWijHzNN65kV31AqZfXul6kigqrqV3vnrRu7mmzPKDv-Z66zektsEZxMlcLXAwr3uTLyzRXEujc352bniTF0oDmtceeM-s-irS6pM7ExGJ1QSMMWJYrfzJceSr7xQnBOSIwy5I_LhxIoD_IwgmnGDEK57za_ktX2DWATSf-UmtfhU40NO4Nzbb=w400-h39" width="400" /></a></div><br />The typical garage ordered from Aladdin (and Sears and others) are tiny little things that you would be lucky to fit a large riding mower inside today. But the Peerless was a larger affair originally designed for 2 cars. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzEbesgBRKwlf_5EjjVp43ols-Kru8UPQ_nuxaPY2D5f8E4wIEAa7G0acTncylCs0NCLyQe0E6YAAZbASEVDOFZTnIiSOcTco6qVXn_FtJAR4DIVLllPr3_HE_2N1KJT9SSfTZMuhzJFp9nHD22t59KY3mqxGGeWaIX3oGdwxGHxh7bxnMY1IVoeru" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="646" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzEbesgBRKwlf_5EjjVp43ols-Kru8UPQ_nuxaPY2D5f8E4wIEAa7G0acTncylCs0NCLyQe0E6YAAZbASEVDOFZTnIiSOcTco6qVXn_FtJAR4DIVLllPr3_HE_2N1KJT9SSfTZMuhzJFp9nHD22t59KY3mqxGGeWaIX3oGdwxGHxh7bxnMY1IVoeru=w400-h369" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;">As you can see, with a modern door, it's still big enough to fit at least some modern vehicles inside. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5sGEN7XVpu58hRTFwS_FcL33PQ8xY1P97JCvYlumWFY0WXbyAeQZ3kPftQ1IVVxs5_2A_uO8SKA_5nS3Q9HrVX-uf7g_C15sGtdqxFU7S-Lx-55FQD-BWOqt-qITjfF6U222_ynqEscBUQKygTfSrJHebijbrOJCp1RqPFMfIG0fGxyA0C52fGx0R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="733" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5sGEN7XVpu58hRTFwS_FcL33PQ8xY1P97JCvYlumWFY0WXbyAeQZ3kPftQ1IVVxs5_2A_uO8SKA_5nS3Q9HrVX-uf7g_C15sGtdqxFU7S-Lx-55FQD-BWOqt-qITjfF6U222_ynqEscBUQKygTfSrJHebijbrOJCp1RqPFMfIG0fGxyA0C52fGx0R=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>If you want to see more photos of the interior of the house, you can view that at this <a href="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1000-10th-St-Wheatland-WY-82201/114593613_zpid/">real estate listing on Zillow</a>. While I can't 100% confirm that this is J. R. Mason's Pomona #1 with Peerless garage, all evidence points to that being the case. </p>This was the first Aladdin house that I found in Wyoming but it wasn't the last. Thank you for joining me and watch for more examples of Aladdin Homes coming soon! </div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-80195608358825798202023-01-21T11:19:00.002-08:002023-01-21T11:19:50.681-08:00Aladdin Pomona in Fenton, Michigan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMP-aBV2OT_brbOWSwydWdPPNssaJFcZNZWKLdUdfISD5-jtR4adoZH2uBeJDErEh79bYSCheoy4uOwxgpRRZxPlSJKZOYXJAsW7kuSuKId6d0xGHVMOe9oJS8t000ps7pGCHw_1C4L8SqFOoaWgc5DfTXRTH2wloZkKT5boVK85ntToaViC3zNf9_" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMP-aBV2OT_brbOWSwydWdPPNssaJFcZNZWKLdUdfISD5-jtR4adoZH2uBeJDErEh79bYSCheoy4uOwxgpRRZxPlSJKZOYXJAsW7kuSuKId6d0xGHVMOe9oJS8t000ps7pGCHw_1C4L8SqFOoaWgc5DfTXRTH2wloZkKT5boVK85ntToaViC3zNf9_=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></div>Back in 2016, while doing research for a kit house presentation at the <a href="https://www.thegdl.org/fenton-winegarden/">Jack R. Winegarden Library</a> in Fenton, Michigan, I came across this house in Fenton at 894 North Leroy Street which looked to be an Aladdin "Pomona". I took some pictures of the house to include in the presentation and added it to our national list of Aladdin homes. At the time, I didn't have any reason to think that it wasn't a Pomona. But without any information to confirm that it was one, I couldn't authenticate it as the real deal. This is often the case with houses that we find "in the wild". But recently, I had the good fortune of being able to confirm its authenticity. Let's take a look! <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Over the past couple of weeks, I've been working on authenticating some Aladdin houses that I had spotted in Columbia, South Carolina. To assist my efforts, the always helpful staff at the <a href="https://www.cmich.edu/research/clarke-historical-library">Clarke Historical Library</a> had sent me some scanned pages from the Aladdin sales index that includes houses that were sold in 1920 to buyers with the last name of "H". After confirming the origin of the houses that I had found in Columbia (more soon about that in a future post), I took a look to see if there was any houses of interest on the pages that they had shared with me. <div><br /><div>One of the entries was for sales #17557 which was an Aladdin Pomona #1 sold to a F. A Hagedorn in Fenton, Michigan. I love tracking down Pomonas, especially ones in Michigan, so this piqued my interest.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6JYgeBiZjC86fov0lPpuuRdFzB5EY1Zyeh76NU_gzY3Vhzi7rRm-rzxfdsQ9PxNH4O4vT9cgNkAicWpnaJGs4W332PRqdJBTmJzudEhdr_bXikptNBtvOLRQan1G1BjiUMzFpXL88BlZo-Y6pYrjmlIUprpmQ1kZCDASX2gOKaduTvAGUB9mu7GjU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="903" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6JYgeBiZjC86fov0lPpuuRdFzB5EY1Zyeh76NU_gzY3Vhzi7rRm-rzxfdsQ9PxNH4O4vT9cgNkAicWpnaJGs4W332PRqdJBTmJzudEhdr_bXikptNBtvOLRQan1G1BjiUMzFpXL88BlZo-Y6pYrjmlIUprpmQ1kZCDASX2gOKaduTvAGUB9mu7GjU=w400-h38" width="400" /></a></div><br />Now I would like to say that I remembered that there was a Pomona in Fenton but my memory isn't that good! But after reviewing the Aladdin list, I was reminded that I had found the possible Pomona at 894 North Leroy Street so I set about to see if I could connect F. A. Hagedorn to that Pomona (or see if there was another Pomona in or around Fenton). </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs2bKtlJYN2boFVjmClmzy3hSphuGq4u8P1y6bddniEfhuqaslC5xAGTrMyxUNFXdUQv6oZ4APxM79A-SD_4JH6W0e5SJhmKRuBSFzyhldNuKNwzjzzCutVO_NPnejfPIzeWBrEfPw-QEwwOPS6ocBtYYeYN_fI8RD2ewSehqmDqK8hvlxg09o57-8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1772" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs2bKtlJYN2boFVjmClmzy3hSphuGq4u8P1y6bddniEfhuqaslC5xAGTrMyxUNFXdUQv6oZ4APxM79A-SD_4JH6W0e5SJhmKRuBSFzyhldNuKNwzjzzCutVO_NPnejfPIzeWBrEfPw-QEwwOPS6ocBtYYeYN_fI8RD2ewSehqmDqK8hvlxg09o57-8=w400-h244" width="400" /></a></div><br />I started my search at Ancestry.com where a search on "F. A. Hagedorn" returned results for a Fred or Frederick Hagedorn in Fenton. In the 1920 Census, Hagedorn was listed as a renter (and his entry didn't include a street name). So that wasn't helpful. But I had better luck with the 1930 Census. There was Hagedorn listed with his wife Blanche and 3 children at 894 North Leroy Street! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlxqF0YN2YOSm5dX-AON-B-DktK29tEdh5izxaCKfIQsgyYigWBozP9FqISxiFMwwIgn2Jah2uGLjRlzA3N8HK9g2FNR6239lc8-XFu_rUrHnV9BHzZwLg9q6uhHH5ijQZcaye9-dRLq6f6PD1skHEDuSISZsgxQNFvNrmsLJyifbqWYSd_PpPx524" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="628" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlxqF0YN2YOSm5dX-AON-B-DktK29tEdh5izxaCKfIQsgyYigWBozP9FqISxiFMwwIgn2Jah2uGLjRlzA3N8HK9g2FNR6239lc8-XFu_rUrHnV9BHzZwLg9q6uhHH5ijQZcaye9-dRLq6f6PD1skHEDuSISZsgxQNFvNrmsLJyifbqWYSd_PpPx524=w400-h93" width="400" /></a></div><br />Hagedorn was listed as a homeowner and the house valuation of $7,500 for the Pomona seemed reasonable for a relatively new house of its size and quality. I think we found our match! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL67FEJh74VNsCi1kV3INdnPSNWC05xIgXGXSX-jHSECzWOotLmvVFln01QfKrgsSiVwrku_js9bDFn0S2E2CtB0TAix78z6ipIHoQc7c_YnZlKXszQU9AG6m-eHgLYKgYlSvMIxFg5BBEE3kERtTDJZjw7qiLeW2gAvYcVKc_Hr5rP5X78M7VPSVy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL67FEJh74VNsCi1kV3INdnPSNWC05xIgXGXSX-jHSECzWOotLmvVFln01QfKrgsSiVwrku_js9bDFn0S2E2CtB0TAix78z6ipIHoQc7c_YnZlKXszQU9AG6m-eHgLYKgYlSvMIxFg5BBEE3kERtTDJZjw7qiLeW2gAvYcVKc_Hr5rP5X78M7VPSVy=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Unlike the mortgages and deeds that we often use to authenticate houses from Sears and Wardway and others, Aladdin sales records aren't tied to a specific piece of property. So placing an owner at the address of an Aladdin model that matches the model listed with their name in the sales index is often as close as we can come to authenticating the house without being able to go inside the house and make a physical inspection. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeqrhICRVq8CaZIDTCqLnuGR6J4uM-lcI1D7iNrYkkdZnhWYg7zrzGXasoyTuAmkYzcbcgvFhlDKMscUWQzefbrULj0wORDp-LvcxCuhKer2ecG2I0SHZOZ6mc1JXjbwP7_hfRU0XOcU-WfdlZ3Ev4MnZcP8r9ZYzIIC7AHL_qLTa1IX9pMI7HmgsS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeqrhICRVq8CaZIDTCqLnuGR6J4uM-lcI1D7iNrYkkdZnhWYg7zrzGXasoyTuAmkYzcbcgvFhlDKMscUWQzefbrULj0wORDp-LvcxCuhKer2ecG2I0SHZOZ6mc1JXjbwP7_hfRU0XOcU-WfdlZ3Ev4MnZcP8r9ZYzIIC7AHL_qLTa1IX9pMI7HmgsS=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Based on the totality of the information we have, I'm confident that the Pomona at 894 North Leroy Street in Fenton, Michigan is the house that F. A. Hagedorn ordered from Aladdin in 1920. His Pomona won't win a contest for "the Pomona most true to its original look". But its Pomona lines are still obvious even 103 years later. Thank you for joining me and watch for more examples of Aladdin Homes coming soon! </div></div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-22259170101433355762023-01-12T21:03:00.004-08:002023-01-12T22:17:42.359-08:00Aladdin Pilgrim in Le Roy, New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9zCT1uH9whNwwZQ2DpZhyORHDp7zXdSOUNtFVRVdaFjPPa9zPGAaGmM-ism5UEtaAEK-v4g5fo21h7ZvimWjFpyowMakhQpEZaf_yrToqVVhPhmgh2lQIHxmpl8kHbiHsWW-qMAyYcYK4rSavbCQrURtRVB8NMRlTKA-JH0rLzcTyZlQo4CasxpwO" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9zCT1uH9whNwwZQ2DpZhyORHDp7zXdSOUNtFVRVdaFjPPa9zPGAaGmM-ism5UEtaAEK-v4g5fo21h7ZvimWjFpyowMakhQpEZaf_yrToqVVhPhmgh2lQIHxmpl8kHbiHsWW-qMAyYcYK4rSavbCQrURtRVB8NMRlTKA-JH0rLzcTyZlQo4CasxpwO=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></div>January has been a good month for finding Aladdin homes. After I finished documenting the Aladdin homes in the Cabbagetown neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia, I returned to searching for homes on the Aladdin sales index. So far, I've found over 20 Aladdin homes in states across the country. Those have included both popular models like the "Pomona" and lesser known models like the "Norwood". This Aladdin "Pilgrim" in Le Roy, New York is one of those homes that I found. Let's take a look! <div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>The "Pilgrim" first appeared in the 1924 "Aladdin Homes" catalog. It must have been a popular model because when I ran a count of all the entries in the sales index that have been transcribed, it was one of the top 10 house models. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglfaCmcwjT29c_PDympjZ_K6hP29jlZZrbnA5HZv8OyslDjbEtJ8-YKFYMlK4d9xMPrJ93d81ngahDVA-9TFr64mtShaPNDEzauj1HMfwchelfrFekVfhcI5IlYd-q58XycHEuE1u89NVPJSHys92p3G3xZRpy8r_uJ0ONp2rhNhuBBJJoPD3hikmS" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="604" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglfaCmcwjT29c_PDympjZ_K6hP29jlZZrbnA5HZv8OyslDjbEtJ8-YKFYMlK4d9xMPrJ93d81ngahDVA-9TFr64mtShaPNDEzauj1HMfwchelfrFekVfhcI5IlYd-q58XycHEuE1u89NVPJSHys92p3G3xZRpy8r_uJ0ONp2rhNhuBBJJoPD3hikmS=w400-h291" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Aladdin "Pilgrim" - 1929 "Aladdin Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><div>In 1930, the "Pilgrim" was renamed the "Pinewood" and renamed again in 1931 to the "Plymouth" with a new front entry design and an additional floor plan, which is reflected in the catalog image below. Over the following years, it saw some more changes like another new front entry design, continuing to appear in the catalog through 1948! Houses that sold well stayed in the catalog and its continued appearance over the years in the catalog is evidence of that.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDS80Gj7eDDE0C-iPgbC3kVSYma6vPDNw0giX6wnJxjU9eVm-fXR1Udqb6tFJCwWUaVRnuncIVxqbtF0Q02C_p5u-I7f-e8OH0g80BzmcPZz8V0id1E3WCI3JGLJdaC5nBPnAfY2ziwjf02brhkOXxrpNR_pahnrVHUQwZogam6RmwnbaDQXa6jPo0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="484" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDS80Gj7eDDE0C-iPgbC3kVSYma6vPDNw0giX6wnJxjU9eVm-fXR1Udqb6tFJCwWUaVRnuncIVxqbtF0Q02C_p5u-I7f-e8OH0g80BzmcPZz8V0id1E3WCI3JGLJdaC5nBPnAfY2ziwjf02brhkOXxrpNR_pahnrVHUQwZogam6RmwnbaDQXa6jPo0=w400-h344" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Aladdin "Plymouth" - 1941 "Aladdin Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />This "Pilgrim" was sold in 1925 to Harvey Durfee of Le Roy, New York (sales record #27678). When I'm trying to connect names to addresses, I usually start with the first Census after the home was purchased, the 1930 Census in this case. The 1930 Census put Mr. Durfee at 26 Union Street in Le Roy.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnl3yiXIeQtXJAdHgf288vqvAnVTT_4qciNP3kmBDeAPlO2QD9Njq1i8W4HJ6d7ITHatihSEPzD9KQk-0E9kJvAEzs1lMRt12aKHtvY9WiIl5DZZ-k5ilKpKsI-8RQDIvfgFN2euKBb-JGIUZ6F3iNoSutdHDPDGNqgmDYAssC-6zz3cfQs7bZYez8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnl3yiXIeQtXJAdHgf288vqvAnVTT_4qciNP3kmBDeAPlO2QD9Njq1i8W4HJ6d7ITHatihSEPzD9KQk-0E9kJvAEzs1lMRt12aKHtvY9WiIl5DZZ-k5ilKpKsI-8RQDIvfgFN2euKBb-JGIUZ6F3iNoSutdHDPDGNqgmDYAssC-6zz3cfQs7bZYez8=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />So I looked up that address and bingo! His Pilgrim. As you can see from the photos, this example of the Pilgrim matches up nicely with the images from the catalog. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVjcdYebstzM9i3afljfBQQo0AKEGoQgURz9b411x8p1lk2XXL2d8qmUjvCc3ex1mYFCypPmLQtOraF0GZI9bZevAhYtqb7Eb9kDEundsvN2m6f94McjlRISlA3UFw5GC1tAMJfjD0MAPl2Eltyns-gWydogwFUJTGFg-hm9JwsQPQjetcv5nAUUrb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVjcdYebstzM9i3afljfBQQo0AKEGoQgURz9b411x8p1lk2XXL2d8qmUjvCc3ex1mYFCypPmLQtOraF0GZI9bZevAhYtqb7Eb9kDEundsvN2m6f94McjlRISlA3UFw5GC1tAMJfjD0MAPl2Eltyns-gWydogwFUJTGFg-hm9JwsQPQjetcv5nAUUrb=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know if Mr. Durfee built his own home or had it built for him but as it approaches its 100th birthday, it's looking pretty good! Thank you for joining me and watch for more examples of Aladdin Homes coming soon! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-20934868464130901622023-01-11T07:48:00.002-08:002023-01-11T07:48:47.418-08:00Making Lists - January 2023<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiURGz4fydI-0AdsORGwwco3lYst9zqPmj-QTy7E7a6PmXKYl9plvU8KC2QP5d6RDoczgvIwnNFzLNO8VY3lnNZ6P7IeY-rB2JqVcZFCXZ4h__7F3rDIo3W6Vm3MBnwZNFJG8MCDJ7eYQd-6J7AllS1_1FR7wq7Pe1aNzPOWj5wRSbxfQUia9Dltzmy" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="627" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiURGz4fydI-0AdsORGwwco3lYst9zqPmj-QTy7E7a6PmXKYl9plvU8KC2QP5d6RDoczgvIwnNFzLNO8VY3lnNZ6P7IeY-rB2JqVcZFCXZ4h__7F3rDIo3W6Vm3MBnwZNFJG8MCDJ7eYQd-6J7AllS1_1FR7wq7Pe1aNzPOWj5wRSbxfQUia9Dltzmy=w116-h200" width="116" /></a></div>Regular readers of this blog know that one of my kit house-related projects is contributing to a national database of Sears catalog and kit houses. As I <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2016/02/3000-sears-houses-and-growing.html">shared in 2016</a>, the database grew out of the need to have a centralized listing of Sears houses. Started 10 years ago in January 2013, the Sears database has grown to almost 16,000 documented homes with over 40% of those authenticated through various methods. </div><div><br /></div><div>While the Sears database is the largest in number of homes, it's not the only database we're working on. Just as there was a need to document houses from Sears, the same is true for homes from the other major kit house manufacturers. We now have databases for 9 regional and national kit house companies. Let's take a look!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div><div>The houses in these databases come from a variety of sources. These include the research done by members of our group, houses submitted by homeowners, houses located and shared by other kit house researchers around the country and publicly available resources both online and in other formats. The databases being maintained by members of our kit house research group include the following companies:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Aladdin</b>: Based in Bay City, Michigan, Aladdin was the first and the last of the major kit house manufacturers. The database currently has over 1,000 homes with over 40% of the homes authenticated, primarily from <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=clarke;page=browse">sales record information</a> archived at the <a href="https://www.cmich.edu/research/clarke-historical-library">Clarke Historical Library</a> at Central Michigan University. </li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWUhllseYFwPqLQLBCmWwk0SFGMuAydDe67lsLr3OsMF2h76iVtXvAHfQkAHiXVVL72FDNsMk1n6qzbwJTZ3kbfdo4PSxJJiwDTqMONAu-jyXyfZ7KVkFvy1aMP5EIdiswbetp_iCzgY/s1600/Aladdin+List+Image.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWUhllseYFwPqLQLBCmWwk0SFGMuAydDe67lsLr3OsMF2h76iVtXvAHfQkAHiXVVL72FDNsMk1n6qzbwJTZ3kbfdo4PSxJJiwDTqMONAu-jyXyfZ7KVkFvy1aMP5EIdiswbetp_iCzgY/s400/Aladdin+List+Image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><b>Excerpt from "Aladdin Catalog Homes in the U.S."</b></td></tr></tbody></table><ul></ul></div><ul><li><b>Bennett Homes</b>: Based in North Tonawanda, New York, the <a href="http://www.antiquehome.org/House-Plans/1920-Bennett/">Ray H. Bennett Lumber Company</a> sold kit houses primarily in the northeastern United States. The database has over 550 homes with over 30% of those authenticated. This growing database of homes is primarily maintained by one of our researchers in the Niagara region of New York. <br /><br /></li>
<li><b>Gordon-Van Tine and Montgomery Ward</b>: <a href="http://www.gordonvantine.com/">Gordon-Van Tine</a> was a mail order catalog house company based in Davenport, Iowa. In addition to selling their own homes, for a number of years, Gordon-Van Tine supplied the plans and materials for homes sold by Montgomery Ward under the "Wardway" name. Due to this relationship and the fact that many of the homes sold by these two companies share common designs, the database covers homes sold by both companies. There's almost 1,500 homes on the list with 38% authenticated by mortgage records and testimonials. </li>
</ul>
<ul><li><b>Harris Brothers</b>: Based in Chicago, Illinois, <a href="http://www.arts-crafts.com/archive/kithome/harrishomes.shtml">Harris</a> sold mail order homes across the country for a couple of decades. The database now has over 250 houses with a small number of authenticated Harris homes. <br /><br /></li>
<li><b>Lewis Homes</b>: Based in Bay City, Michigan, Lewis started in the kit house business supplying lumber for Aladdin. A few years later, Lewis started their own line of kit houses sold under the Lewis Homes name. Around 1925, Lewis changed the name of the kit house business to Liberty and continued to sell homes until the early 1970s. The greatest number of Lewis homes identified are located in Washington DC but examples from a number of states are on the list . It has over 250 homes with over 40% of those being authenticated homes.<br /> </li><li><b>McClure Homes</b>: Based in Saginaw, Michigan, McClure <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2020/05/mcclure-homes-timeline.html">sold kit houses</a> for a relative short time period - only about 10 years. But because they financed many of the homes that they sold, it's been possible to locate McClure homes through mortgage records. The list currently has less than 100 homes. But almost 85% of those homes are authenticated through mortgage records or documented sales to industrial firms. <br /><br /></li>
<li><b>Sterling</b>: Also based in Bay City, Michigan, Sterling, like Lewis, started in the kit house business as a supplier for Aladdin. Sterling sold homes from 1915 - 1973. The database has a small number of homes primarily located in Michigan.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Together, these databases include almost 20,000 documented houses. This is undoubtedly the largest collection of documented and authenticated catalog and kit houses in the country and the collection grows almost every single day!<br />
<br />
Do you know of homes that should be considered for inclusion in one of these databases? Let us know in the comments with your contact information or contact me directly from the <a href="http://www.kithousehunters.com/">Kit House Hunters</a> page.<br />
<br />
Historical background includes information courtesy of Dale Wolicki and <a href="http://www.kithouse.org/">Rebecca Hunter</a>. <br /><br /><b>Note: I first wrote <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2017/02/making-lists.html">a version</a> of this post back in 2017. I've decided to do an annual version of this every January to help track the progress of the research being done by kit house researchers. </b></div>
</div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-87887735446949128892023-01-01T13:24:00.031-08:002023-01-04T16:29:28.001-08:00The Aladdin Kit Homes of "Cabbagetown" - Atlanta, Georgia<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5KRmqvjqvso1Nhm_ZGiVFNfrtk4owFnEgOKfqPFliBmqRC7yrULMokRUhUpzvQjepRkknNlATM46oMQFWMG3c2pFB0TOknYyFIR5Pj9ul-4FGnlZVLFAJiINB5VdNgxe6cywWs8JRtmGvaLZzK_suQLt8fti1LNfh5zZgvVW-n3L9q_LSm0E0cbxO" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="335" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5KRmqvjqvso1Nhm_ZGiVFNfrtk4owFnEgOKfqPFliBmqRC7yrULMokRUhUpzvQjepRkknNlATM46oMQFWMG3c2pFB0TOknYyFIR5Pj9ul-4FGnlZVLFAJiINB5VdNgxe6cywWs8JRtmGvaLZzK_suQLt8fti1LNfh5zZgvVW-n3L9q_LSm0E0cbxO=w180-h200" width="180" /></a></div>Happy New Year loyal kit house readers! I thought I would start off the year by sharing one of my more interesting discoveries from 2022 - a collection of Aladdin homes built in 1919 in Atlanta, Georgia. Located in Atlanta's "Cabbagetown" neighborhood, these are the first documented examples of Aladdin homes I've been able to locate in the city of Atlanta (and the first kit houses I've found in the state of Georgia). These homes represent a side of the kit house story that isn't often told - homes sold not to individual homeowners but to companies seeking to provide housing for their workers. Let's take a look!<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>The retelling of the kit house story most often revolves around an industrious Do-It-Yourself type building their very own home from plans and materials supplied by a kit house manufacturer. Homes sold to people like this were a big part of the kit house business. Less well known is the fact that the major kit house companies also sold homes to builders, contractors, developers and industrial concerns. Homes purchased by industrial companies to provide worker housing were a part of the kit house business, particularly in the years around "The Great War" (World War I), best exemplified by the 192 Sears "Modern Homes" built in 1918 in Carlinville, Schoper, and Wood River, Illinois by the Standard Oil Company.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQm6zjcRRFp7GjNZnssplJNwr2utoUQwikIfj1LpFZkt1r12u8dJpgu7olorP6OkBIF81ZSA-4r95gDVaYoe4Q6sJJso2fPP458uC27BssGvcXkCavEwhFJjpSf73ZKhXEJf1qkmaFjut43Hvhu-lrPayVzt2jR8MeftBFR0vmxx5LPnavlDtKZzWL" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="1600" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQm6zjcRRFp7GjNZnssplJNwr2utoUQwikIfj1LpFZkt1r12u8dJpgu7olorP6OkBIF81ZSA-4r95gDVaYoe4Q6sJJso2fPP458uC27BssGvcXkCavEwhFJjpSf73ZKhXEJf1qkmaFjut43Hvhu-lrPayVzt2jR8MeftBFR0vmxx5LPnavlDtKZzWL=w400-h114" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image of Sears houses in Carlinville, IL from the "Modern Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The Sears homes built by Standard Oil highlighted a common problem for industrial companies with facilities located in rural areas - too few homes, especially quality homes - in areas seeing surging population growth driven by the construction or expansion of facilities owned by those industrial companies. In communities across the United States, these companies turned to the kit house manufacturers to purchase homes that could be built quickly to provide additional housing for their workers. During those years, the kit house manufacturers often highlighted those purchases in their sales catalogs and newspaper advertising. Aladdin even put together a separate catalog geared towards industrial interests. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN0G8r6iwrYkNw4-ci84HEA3K-5GbvFe43MQcuPWujS0es5ceF_saivsttOHTlb_oU2J4rksbJX3RcMIMAtnWjDrXTnCd8QBb3PYYR4kYEcVVv_P4h6jdL7_BdAyc-9xvH0Mrc9iz-wuiF6sa13mJK9xExUD6u69_gHldYlF0g3gntlmioTX1kVV90" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2772" data-original-width="1764" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN0G8r6iwrYkNw4-ci84HEA3K-5GbvFe43MQcuPWujS0es5ceF_saivsttOHTlb_oU2J4rksbJX3RcMIMAtnWjDrXTnCd8QBb3PYYR4kYEcVVv_P4h6jdL7_BdAyc-9xvH0Mrc9iz-wuiF6sa13mJK9xExUD6u69_gHldYlF0g3gntlmioTX1kVV90=w255-h400" width="255" /></a></div><p>In more urbanized settings like Atlanta (population 200,616 in 1920), the challenge was less one of quantity than location. In the years when the nascent auto industry hadn't yet become the preferred mode of transportation, it was common for the majority of a company's workforce to arrive on foot from a nearby neighborhood or by streetcar line. But as you can imagine, private interests weren't exactly clamoring to build quality housing in close proximity to noisy, polluting industrial factories. So these companies often built their own neighborhoods of homes - sometimes company owned or subsidized - near their factories to ensure that their workers were always close at hand. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6zV_dSGNODlvw1d5X_N6L5oVWkCDDgbxtV6E4ddYimTUu0O7BUU00yP-FIGQ-iDa61iUxbkZICTZPFwHjRSQLaqT-UtJ52ke1TN_qqpbW1Tizo_FY5lvI1j_MOK_mwMILrJ7rH-cxPCNcMwbQ21EgxyRd-29iyMjUjBO176WJfDmMhE45ihnJtZEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="708" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6zV_dSGNODlvw1d5X_N6L5oVWkCDDgbxtV6E4ddYimTUu0O7BUU00yP-FIGQ-iDa61iUxbkZICTZPFwHjRSQLaqT-UtJ52ke1TN_qqpbW1Tizo_FY5lvI1j_MOK_mwMILrJ7rH-cxPCNcMwbQ21EgxyRd-29iyMjUjBO176WJfDmMhE45ihnJtZEF" width="320" /></a></div><br />Back in September 2022, I was reviewing our transcribed list of the Aladdin sales records index (which currently includes 11 years of sales records indexes we photographed a number of years ago) for possible locations of houses. 1919 has quite a few sales to industrial companies. including multiple sales to the "Fulton Bag and Cotton Mills Company" of Atlanta, Georgia. The company purchased 20 homes from Aladdin, mostly models that I was familiar with including the following (number of models in parentheses): <p></p><p>- Boulevard (3)<br />- Franklin (2)<br />- Pomona #1 (5) <br />- Sheridan #2 (3) <br />- Stanhope #2 (4) <br />- Sunshine (3)</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcoFrrBPcmD329qxpyJjm5C_1eHemu0-rZ8bx4r5ijL_gWk2ZgIJaJllaT200gyJxWYlB6MwWtJNM2hquZ5weZM4RSoFQ4xsc8C76EioA6KmlB38bT-sOVbXIjgWQ3LO-tHy7OUEmOsjkkDOLK21JQAYmnXhG_eoIOKRVffMSJmZWymabNIAq9VXCr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1466" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcoFrrBPcmD329qxpyJjm5C_1eHemu0-rZ8bx4r5ijL_gWk2ZgIJaJllaT200gyJxWYlB6MwWtJNM2hquZ5weZM4RSoFQ4xsc8C76EioA6KmlB38bT-sOVbXIjgWQ3LO-tHy7OUEmOsjkkDOLK21JQAYmnXhG_eoIOKRVffMSJmZWymabNIAq9VXCr=w400-h154" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image from 1919 Aladdin Sales Record Index <br />Courtesy of the <a href="https://www.cmich.edu/research/clarke-historical-library">Clarke Historical Library</a> Aladdin collection</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'll be honest, I didn't hold out much hope that I would actually find the homes. It's often times hard to track down the location of where these industrial companies - most of which are long out of business - were located. Even if you do, you can imagine what 100 years of time does to homes built in an industrial setting, especially one where the local economy has been depressed as factories have closed down or have been demolished. More than once have I managed to track down the place where a neighborhood of kit houses had been built only to find that those homes had been lost to time. <div><p>But my effort to locate the home of the "Fulton Bag and Cotton Mills Company" in Atlanta was aided by a well-documented <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_Bag_and_Cotton_Mills">Wikipedia article</a> that provides the exact location of their mill that operated just east of downtown Atlanta adjacent to the "Cabbagetown" neighborhood. The mill itself has a very interesting history that includes its redevelopment into a residential use. But I was more interested in seeing if there was any signs of Aladdin homes near the factory so I jumped on Google to see what I could learn about "Cabbagetown". <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcoIcbf7I3Y63yTWUxMcvLycxHxFZkcGbCvk5HQ3Nsy9rF4rpcBpQjMbFblDG1zVlILGL9fWRe9NqOw9qqFT37YjHPuHTobNHr6_H9yQ5fQO1VNy2IZxWxEu8crql_ItGURqskcyM_4PZk3T8gN0uptSgeTae5-adTEcSS_CW3sM16WoH5WyXTHSSQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="512" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcoIcbf7I3Y63yTWUxMcvLycxHxFZkcGbCvk5HQ3Nsy9rF4rpcBpQjMbFblDG1zVlILGL9fWRe9NqOw9qqFT37YjHPuHTobNHr6_H9yQ5fQO1VNy2IZxWxEu8crql_ItGURqskcyM_4PZk3T8gN0uptSgeTae5-adTEcSS_CW3sM16WoH5WyXTHSSQ" width="320" /></a></div>It turns out I was in luck again because "Cabbagetown" is a thriving neighborhood in Atlanta. They even have their own "<a href="https://cabbagetown.com/">Cabbagetown</a>" web site where I was able to learn a lot about the history of the area. As I had thought, the neighborhood owed its existence to the nearby mill and its owners, which had built the housing for its workers, around which a neighborhood developed. </div><div><br /></div><div>As was quickly apparent driving around the neighborhood in Google Streetview, the effort to provide housing predated the purchase of houses from Aladdin as there were numerous examples of pattern houses from earlier architectural eras in this area. The history of the neighborhood, which is part of a larger historic district that is on the <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c6b689e8d9740541892fff5/t/5e2b1e3ab77a5047e3a25b1f/1579884092116/Application+to+Place+Cabbagetown+on+the+National+Register+1975.pdf">National Register of Historic Places</a>, documents its origins back to 1885. In reading the history of the company and the neighborhood, I learned that the Aladdin homes were among the last to be purchased and built by the company. </div><div><p></p><p></p><p>Now that I knew where to look, I started out using Google Streetview to drive up and down the streets of "Cabbagetown" looking for homes from Aladdin. But after a few streets of no Aladdin houses, I decided to switch over to Zillow and search homes "for sale" and "recently sold" in the neighborhood. Since I knew that the homes were built around 1919 - 1920, I limited my search to homes sold between 1900 (a common date used when exact build dates aren't known or have been lost) through 1930, figuring that would cover my bases. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilwYHXV7kJfudz_IDW6cGny0kGK6wh_60-Jo5gTwu2FZsyUEjnp8OeWX_rrw6_f1MYCO5BB7HDp95BImjmjO5pCM44We2VmBfITX8izMArNLXuBjlwX0cagw3ZlRqnBkgGvudEziIl4D3GTpBPwgFPBOE96oacbuIoVwD7QIghdpldRdK_xsqCR2ur" style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="650" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilwYHXV7kJfudz_IDW6cGny0kGK6wh_60-Jo5gTwu2FZsyUEjnp8OeWX_rrw6_f1MYCO5BB7HDp95BImjmjO5pCM44We2VmBfITX8izMArNLXuBjlwX0cagw3ZlRqnBkgGvudEziIl4D3GTpBPwgFPBOE96oacbuIoVwD7QIghdpldRdK_xsqCR2ur=w400-h339" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div><br /></div><div>That worked! The first house that came up was an example of the Aladdin "Stanhope" that was for sale at 116 Estoria Street SE.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqcjcSJtAF6zqJadSmDiN6hB4oJjQ0YN-4h0YaNhgNqjRdePqiTPDJExhtlyJeUpGVPoJr10J6-QSr5Ud5uqj210DHv8WARfHHMXWt7VvNojL2oNem3PSqwtJchRkmbEcdbLloZKdpWbfHkmBgcaqkBKXrVciMoO8NuEZg5J0j88dqGCBdkMJk5d9V" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="384" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqcjcSJtAF6zqJadSmDiN6hB4oJjQ0YN-4h0YaNhgNqjRdePqiTPDJExhtlyJeUpGVPoJr10J6-QSr5Ud5uqj210DHv8WARfHHMXWt7VvNojL2oNem3PSqwtJchRkmbEcdbLloZKdpWbfHkmBgcaqkBKXrVciMoO8NuEZg5J0j88dqGCBdkMJk5d9V=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Aladdin "Stanhope"<br />116 Estoria Street SE, Atlanta, Georgia</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Now that I had a starting point, I switched back over to Google Streetview and started looking. It didn't take long for me to discover two things - One, Estoria Street was where I wanted to be. In quick succession, I spotted a couple of Aladdin Pomonas, another Stanhope, an Aladdin Boulevard and a distinctive Aladdin Franklin, all models that were on the sales list. Two, these houses all appeared to be in good shape and several sported distinctive details that helped identify that they were Aladdin models. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgert9IJQUpz9Efage1YwTaCjfN-nEDXbQCRiGFYJ3-K_WPlosMTfYtKP9ykplvRm1cPWkRWpRvu9XpjjQpnuq8JZBGZ_73dZmwmMjJJbz8Pbnln3LHKHfpi8_f34YjfmNnW3tTib6zKQobNvXdakxr2bhglIKeaonVdMoK5xtkA2SeJZR8et2wQqdJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1613" data-original-width="1930" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgert9IJQUpz9Efage1YwTaCjfN-nEDXbQCRiGFYJ3-K_WPlosMTfYtKP9ykplvRm1cPWkRWpRvu9XpjjQpnuq8JZBGZ_73dZmwmMjJJbz8Pbnln3LHKHfpi8_f34YjfmNnW3tTib6zKQobNvXdakxr2bhglIKeaonVdMoK5xtkA2SeJZR8et2wQqdJ=w400-h334" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Knowing there were likely more houses in the area, I "drove" around the block to Pearl Street and spotted more Aladdin models. You can imagine my delight at having my initial skepticism proven wrong! In total, I was able to identify 16 houses from Aladdin. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlvykfM6iiMQ_OdMXPBkIZXl18uAJVVgDgGdVcarwprGEpHdvWBrsqRobCH7ay1718KzQyVH2CjRSfgoToDN7bI51cij2s9DJ8pUUiwwd-FJL0e7doIozKbPZsFxEFfkKsewBntG34DoRxMHg9_7iuGwxmugD6XRMEf_yXQ_jgZzjGXR_f3fWKHnay" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="931" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlvykfM6iiMQ_OdMXPBkIZXl18uAJVVgDgGdVcarwprGEpHdvWBrsqRobCH7ay1718KzQyVH2CjRSfgoToDN7bI51cij2s9DJ8pUUiwwd-FJL0e7doIozKbPZsFxEFfkKsewBntG34DoRxMHg9_7iuGwxmugD6XRMEf_yXQ_jgZzjGXR_f3fWKHnay=w400-h276" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p>After my initial discovery, which I shared with my fellow kit house researchers, I got distracted by other shiny baubles of kit house discoveries. But I knew that when I had some free time, which arrived with the holidays, I would go back and do a proper documentation of the homes, which I'm sharing in this post. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvIVzarZQENDx8rcs1NZouusU9_FFSWJbuTR3C4U1fgbAUX9e237E0ZONyYmFmqaOmNV_tBHywpjaD1VWvMUvUvbSp7jLXUVnMvNztfH83c1u9kC6QzEsvjOLAx4_9WZ9FKcy4CHjmKIua7SxyO-_tFBhWlQahieLaZZ_T7pxZBCp799QVlF83ywNg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="880" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvIVzarZQENDx8rcs1NZouusU9_FFSWJbuTR3C4U1fgbAUX9e237E0ZONyYmFmqaOmNV_tBHywpjaD1VWvMUvUvbSp7jLXUVnMvNztfH83c1u9kC6QzEsvjOLAx4_9WZ9FKcy4CHjmKIua7SxyO-_tFBhWlQahieLaZZ_T7pxZBCp799QVlF83ywNg=w400-h245" width="400" /></a></div><br />Below is a list of the houses by address and Aladdin model. I've included a link to Google Streetview to each house if you want to see a current view of them. At the end, I've also included some addresses of where I think the 4 missing houses were located and my best guess at which model based on reviewing historic aerial photos. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCuly7apwzIVwhbzTJwFbqAd-1maDv4fR-66EXNP0eIZREoZIBPKl00U6BZ03m1GhW-ujyFaYaPjwlHBRbXx0_-xFgqFnffFiiuOmnnL-54p98Jozk67darehwrNCMpGNjA7GiwVRc1RIkSk5OT2dHafujh4kmqi3GImXMb9YShT5--79kgAjyVpkL" style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="650" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCuly7apwzIVwhbzTJwFbqAd-1maDv4fR-66EXNP0eIZREoZIBPKl00U6BZ03m1GhW-ujyFaYaPjwlHBRbXx0_-xFgqFnffFiiuOmnnL-54p98Jozk67darehwrNCMpGNjA7GiwVRc1RIkSk5OT2dHafujh4kmqi3GImXMb9YShT5--79kgAjyVpkL=w400-h340" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>If you're from the "Cabbagetown" area or own one of these homes and want to learn more about its history, leave me a comment or send me an e-mail or both! </div><div><p></p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh28Rm4hj-OHpknu-ZaurkSy0XsypyKJ7PjjnjYXupKhExlyG0Ltu77Zr2zyw4K59XOaDcYeQ454GUOgOrMOnGq7haDxS7Ofa5SOD3WxeX2R9dCdhIrBMcPhV7n3cq9NANVKWmmBcDQM8jEouu2WxX_gP4jmEKxF6I49-oWwa1glJexWTQJwJYsmGGF" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="939" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh28Rm4hj-OHpknu-ZaurkSy0XsypyKJ7PjjnjYXupKhExlyG0Ltu77Zr2zyw4K59XOaDcYeQ454GUOgOrMOnGq7haDxS7Ofa5SOD3WxeX2R9dCdhIrBMcPhV7n3cq9NANVKWmmBcDQM8jEouu2WxX_gP4jmEKxF6I49-oWwa1glJexWTQJwJYsmGGF=w400-h323" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Estoria Street</span></b><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3BGrOBzcqCvvz6RZT1j402cMP3CJLhpui3YOQpFEvz32-Vr8DnqjOGzyO2mb1eTJC9YTcILpptU4gPU7l-c_YPzBqUkQV2e1E2tnuqeDGNRbgAosu05_CzM9Ut9ONHhDZOM5irzRZ_o_qpDUJcXcHp_ldbOEDbu_sdIQ6ihRPThcZ4t4RKTNRtxux" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="384" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3BGrOBzcqCvvz6RZT1j402cMP3CJLhpui3YOQpFEvz32-Vr8DnqjOGzyO2mb1eTJC9YTcILpptU4gPU7l-c_YPzBqUkQV2e1E2tnuqeDGNRbgAosu05_CzM9Ut9ONHhDZOM5irzRZ_o_qpDUJcXcHp_ldbOEDbu_sdIQ6ihRPThcZ4t4RKTNRtxux=w200-h150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/mFTwDiMcyj12TU6h6">102 Estoria St SE</a> - Sheridan #2</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/qxbaNBi9LAS3gvrr5">106 Estoria St SE</a> - Stanhope #2</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/9UxZHDQcMJrvootD6">110 Estoria St SE</a> - Boulevard</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/AUojqonRXMgJTg7i8">114 Estoria St SE</a> - Pomona #1</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/AALKwauUz53tfrde6">116 Estoria St SE</a> - Stanhope #2</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/kgaGtE4MF1b4eRkH8">124 Estoria St SE</a> - Pomona #1</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/6P54gvzuieaaTP4r8">128 Estoria St SE</a> - Stanhope #2</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/9J55kyRrThMVSY1U7">136 Estoria St SE</a> - Franklin</p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Pearl Street</span></b><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4v8ZpKdwqH6nort6VWUqVn_ZW1BgLeg8RZaZhuf_8T8yf6CMfMVNZh4qMfXsaaNnse5BKznkxAacwi2bVV9BYnLRvn0TnpmS2HgrqXb3QgBMh5blBdBXoJHTFHX0qerrsm7bmmdi7KFGnEDSUIksRg23y3LSv0RP4fUXxoNktMOR2HY725gxVS-iD" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="713" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4v8ZpKdwqH6nort6VWUqVn_ZW1BgLeg8RZaZhuf_8T8yf6CMfMVNZh4qMfXsaaNnse5BKznkxAacwi2bVV9BYnLRvn0TnpmS2HgrqXb3QgBMh5blBdBXoJHTFHX0qerrsm7bmmdi7KFGnEDSUIksRg23y3LSv0RP4fUXxoNktMOR2HY725gxVS-iD=w200-h113" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/D3CwasmcvSyybQEa6">103 Pearl St SE</a> - Pomona #1<p></p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/DdqaXHxENc51zktN6">107 Pearl St SE</a> - Franklin</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/UXWNFrSmtnssBsd67">111 Pearl St SE</a> - Sunshine</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/xv3iX76X6UNG8q7m7">113 Pearl St SE</a> - Sheridan #2</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/B1fJeecEx4KjhTS96">117 Pearl St SE</a> - Pomona #1</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/vKhyMSUfP6nZK8Wo8">121 Pearl St SE</a> - Boulevard</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/esxMxJGeaVVhPDTe6">125 Pearl St SE</a> - Stanhope #2</p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/LyTcxGEi4zC1hfqb6">135 Pearl St SE</a> - Sheridan #2</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFoxO3-ht-3WAhQ9Vjzd-dg9Pces2Et9saPVlPNPLGbkrxKsCxjpC3pQF_Pmcb9c5LhuC9WAJ5UoAum48TDRw4Kv3nkUppZOx0koZoxk9aSahIGOzZyJXp8p2ZTB-YMhfLQFe3QfRIRa-nmiBFMpsb-6_b0pI9Vc3BW0A1FhcgqDt5QTt_3yYWBCtk" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="837" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFoxO3-ht-3WAhQ9Vjzd-dg9Pces2Et9saPVlPNPLGbkrxKsCxjpC3pQF_Pmcb9c5LhuC9WAJ5UoAum48TDRw4Kv3nkUppZOx0koZoxk9aSahIGOzZyJXp8p2ZTB-YMhfLQFe3QfRIRa-nmiBFMpsb-6_b0pI9Vc3BW0A1FhcgqDt5QTt_3yYWBCtk=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2006 photograph of Pearl Street SE starting with 103 Pearl</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Not Aladdin Houses </span></b></div><p>As best as I can tell, the entire order of 20 Aladdin houses was built on the same block - 10 on Estoria Street and 10 on Pearl Street. 16 of the houses are still standing and identifiable as Aladdin models. Of the 4 remaining locations, they are all built on and the houses that have the appearance of being "from the era". </p><p>However, after seeing some vacant lots in the area in earlier Google Streetviews, I went back and looked up the build date for those 4 houses in Zillow and found that all of them were built between 2000 and 2016. This was confirmed by a map of the historic district that shows those lots have structures that are "non-contributing", a reference to a building that doesn't date back to the original district era or has been modified to such a degree that it's no longer consistent with the era. So even though these homes look like they could be from the 1920s, they're not. </p><p>Based on information from the original 1975 nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places, it appears that all 20 houses were still standing in 1975. By reviewing historic aerial photos, I made an attempt to identify which Aladdin models used to be on those lots based on the rooflines of the previous houses. What's listed below is my best effort to identify those. If I find any photographs from when those houses were still standing which help me confirm the model, I'll update the listing below. </p><p>120 Estoria St SE - Build date of 2000 (Likely was Sunshine based on old aerials)</p><p>132 Estoria St SE - Build date of 2016 (Likely was Boulevard based on old aerials)</p><p>127 Pearl St SE - Build date of 2002 (Likely was Pomona based on old aerials)</p><p>133 Pearl St SE - Build date of 2002 (Likely was Sunshine based on old aerials)</p><p>Also notable is the house built at 101 Pearl St SE. The house was built in 2007 but echos the details of the Aladdin Pomona next door right down to the Pomona-style brackets! </p><p>Discovering houses is always fun and doubly so when you find they are located in an area where people appreciate the history of their homes. I hope this adds to the collective history of "Cabbagetown" and that the owners come to appreciate knowing that they own a unique slice of American history. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope to share many more in 2023! </p></div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-9156234547517043272022-11-25T19:58:00.002-08:002022-11-25T19:58:11.150-08:00Sears Vallonia in Easton, Pennsylvania<p>This week's example of the Sears Roebuck "Vallonia" is located in Easton, Pennsylvania. I located this house from a reference I found in an environmental assessment done for a nearby highway project. The assessment, which had been posted online, was from 1993! I went searching half expecting to find the house long-gone. Instead, it's still there in all its original "Vallonia" glory!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkT_V5ltYRR1eJPLDoDjdzldAl88D9_1H1uNh7Koe8uc3ZLz-ppSj_9Oc5UvFS7sSLv4Ymh5aPb4AOaJswI6LO6bOB8P8VeDGLQBB9GuFVAmdATy_dFfw8iiBDrmizRcdR4vhjS-36EzP44BcmDzxwkeZE6hcrb28mabQ9xJZnE9DaeX4iYJM1pwBD" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkT_V5ltYRR1eJPLDoDjdzldAl88D9_1H1uNh7Koe8uc3ZLz-ppSj_9Oc5UvFS7sSLv4Ymh5aPb4AOaJswI6LO6bOB8P8VeDGLQBB9GuFVAmdATy_dFfw8iiBDrmizRcdR4vhjS-36EzP44BcmDzxwkeZE6hcrb28mabQ9xJZnE9DaeX4iYJM1pwBD=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We love seeing examples of Vallonias with original details intact and at least on the outside, this house still has many of them. Those details were referenced in the environmental assessment report too. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLjTSLA9WICLVzBOsPuykOwiAFVSeqdFbj2xtUlGDGARAEaGQGS1Dg2lJM4WJg5Ul9u2s6JFSTqEtrHqHv8CGFtLdbnMEJ0y060fvy5xa1z_7fogO1Kn3f6TwhPFqrGuAh3V9b571uTzswZVfrgdsSiT8bKjt8yWUCedGK78odTvH04Zu0aRrdw9Z3"><img alt="" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="749" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLjTSLA9WICLVzBOsPuykOwiAFVSeqdFbj2xtUlGDGARAEaGQGS1Dg2lJM4WJg5Ul9u2s6JFSTqEtrHqHv8CGFtLdbnMEJ0y060fvy5xa1z_7fogO1Kn3f6TwhPFqrGuAh3V9b571uTzswZVfrgdsSiT8bKjt8yWUCedGK78odTvH04Zu0aRrdw9Z3=w400-h90" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></div>Regular readers may notice that this "Vallonia" appears to be taller than some others that I've shared. Having seen hundreds of examples of the "Vallonia", this design change appears to be another "hidden" option that wasn't mentioned in the "Modern Homes" catalog but was shared with customers who were interested in having a taller second floor than offered in the standard design. Judith Chabot explored this design change in her post about another example of a <a href="https://www.searshouseseeker.com/2018/01/customizing-sears-house-vallonia-in.html">"tall Vallonia" in Westerly, Rhode Island</a>. Watch for another example of the "Vallonia" coming soon! <br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-34158022367334913012022-11-18T19:16:00.006-08:002022-11-19T11:09:52.838-08:00Where are the Sears Houses - November 2022 Edition<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCFV3uQUKQciSHn2WOXEZzb3uTEwCpLVwIq9khB6zAElEzTn2UJL3fmBKGY_PA7X8oInCZXsm0zjQMxnKCpEVjvjqN-cIQGuCKfO1m1kNtEF2OgHeQzXeVvcCBTxUmqaWQ5w-YC0t71mGxmV68IiPO39Y0RDAX40_b8c5JvW0xq8-4nc_E4Abqf-4r" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="384" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCFV3uQUKQciSHn2WOXEZzb3uTEwCpLVwIq9khB6zAElEzTn2UJL3fmBKGY_PA7X8oInCZXsm0zjQMxnKCpEVjvjqN-cIQGuCKfO1m1kNtEF2OgHeQzXeVvcCBTxUmqaWQ5w-YC0t71mGxmV68IiPO39Y0RDAX40_b8c5JvW0xq8-4nc_E4Abqf-4r=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Tarryton - Nutley, New Jersey</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />What's this? Another update of "Where are the Sears Houses?" But it's been only two months since I posted <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2022/09/where-are-sears-houses-september-2022.html">the last one</a> and that came just 7 weeks after an update in July! What can I say, our intrepid band of kit house researchers has been on a roll. In four months, we've added over 1,000 new houses to the National Database of Sears Homes. I can't promise we'll be able to keep up this pace going forward but it's been exciting for us to see so many new discoveries. All of these new houses has made for some fierce competition among the list of states where Sears houses can be found. Let's take a look! <p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Here is the breakdown of location of houses by state based on approximately 15,500 homes in the database. </p><p>As of the date we passed 15,500 houses, Sears houses have been located in 48 states, the District of Columbia and the Provinces of Alberta and Ontario, Canada. The last 2 states outstanding are Arizona and Hawaii. </p><p>The following is a breakdown of the states that have the largest number of identified Sears homes.</p><p>1. Ohio (3200+ homes): Ohio is closing in on 3,330 homes with almost 70 new homes added since the last update. Ohio continues to account for over 21% of the houses on the list.</p><p>2. Illinois (2500+ homes): Illinois is closing in on 2,600 homes with 45 new houses identified. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoLYDgp5txBlRHPnJ5LfJ-7UfjJoJk8_3Hh3PKrKZ5WIcnRY_OWhlsXYINzHvsF2_vlFHJRfgAsk4L5EU0oaWSUDZHZnAxS7vnzguhPUQkHcxAkHLoDCX7611Gu2BBojKTy2-vQIsq9jtYIx8IGct4q35-kfZpHQYfbe7OEx34AK3oclen8PJ2lRKe" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="384" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoLYDgp5txBlRHPnJ5LfJ-7UfjJoJk8_3Hh3PKrKZ5WIcnRY_OWhlsXYINzHvsF2_vlFHJRfgAsk4L5EU0oaWSUDZHZnAxS7vnzguhPUQkHcxAkHLoDCX7611Gu2BBojKTy2-vQIsq9jtYIx8IGct4q35-kfZpHQYfbe7OEx34AK3oclen8PJ2lRKe=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Fullerton - Ottawa, Illinois</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>3. Pennsylvania (2100+ homes): Pennsylvania added almost 50 new homes as it moves closer to the 2,200 home mark. </p><p>4. New York (1800+ homes): New York moved past the 1,800 home total with over 50 new homes as it maintains a solid 4th place. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX45Zx-zEfuRpTDuFFdf57Htq_hHLHQjXb-uOHHeb3mPzFC9xsMROuicAgCTlHwze22UGiHai1Gr6HObQQCARW2hpTyMm_UgxUS6VQYUQ9Q_rIy0FThJFORRPavUwJfNOEXW3ragOhIdIeeEwpaQxgomM5DIlLOsvEX2R8TgMUxGccbQTc_SiTirtz" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX45Zx-zEfuRpTDuFFdf57Htq_hHLHQjXb-uOHHeb3mPzFC9xsMROuicAgCTlHwze22UGiHai1Gr6HObQQCARW2hpTyMm_UgxUS6VQYUQ9Q_rIy0FThJFORRPavUwJfNOEXW3ragOhIdIeeEwpaQxgomM5DIlLOsvEX2R8TgMUxGccbQTc_SiTirtz=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Starlight - Newburgh, New York</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />5. Michigan (1100+ homes): The top 7 states on the list all had double digit number of new homes but Michigan was the lowest at 30. It's still in 5th place but other states are closing in on it. <p></p><p>6. Indiana (900+): Indiana is just 3 homes shy of 1,000 with the addition almost 60 new homes. </p>7. New Jersey (800+): With the addition of 97 new homes, the most of any state this update, New Jersey moved past the 800 homes mark. I'm confident there are many more Sears houses to find in New Jersey and that these numbers will keep on going up. <p></p><p>8. Maryland (350+): Maryland is slowly making its way towards 400 homes while holding onto 8th place.</p><p>9. Virginia (350+): Virginia is keeping pace with Maryland in the number of new homes added. </p><p>10. Washington DC (303): There was no change in the totals for Washington DC with this update. </p><p>11. Kentucky (250+): Kentucky actually went down by one house in this update. I didn't see the specific reason why but likely due to a demolition. </p><p>12. Wisconsin (250+): Wisconsin moved past the 250 homes mark while it maintains twelfth place position on the list. But it may not be there for long with new additions happening in other states on the list. </p><p>13. Connecticut (200+): Connecticut went zooming past the 200 home mark with over 50 new houses added since the last update. Will it pass Wisconsin with the next update? Watch and see! </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFDzWGykPLSQUTS638j_HDjRVipE2tOeGjeNZ0qQxZ48SKX3Dz-rIbNKGLZEpSnmtRZAh0xFq4O5qmuklwiNmPZnXZziiWygB0FFWyvnPE-E66pO3s8KQnQgNThapMevv3FXgtmcRctIX4rnS9xCAT64b79buK75p9pJ2htsUhx8iRrLXp9uYqPSw3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="665" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFDzWGykPLSQUTS638j_HDjRVipE2tOeGjeNZ0qQxZ48SKX3Dz-rIbNKGLZEpSnmtRZAh0xFq4O5qmuklwiNmPZnXZziiWygB0FFWyvnPE-E66pO3s8KQnQgNThapMevv3FXgtmcRctIX4rnS9xCAT64b79buK75p9pJ2htsUhx8iRrLXp9uYqPSw3=w400-h354" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears No. 102 - Windsor Locks, Connecticut</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>14. Massachusetts (100+): Massachusetts is getting closer to the 150 home mark with the most recent additions. </p><p>15. West Virginia (100+): West Virginia only added one new home with this update but it stayed in fifteenth place. </p><p>16. Missouri (100+): Missouri is right behind West Virginia in the number of homes located. </p><p>17. Iowa (100+): Iowa continued to add homes as it closes in on Missouri and West Virginia. It's anyone's guess which state will be ahead at the next update. </p><p>Currently, there are 17 states where at least 100 Sears houses have been located within the state. The top 10 states account for 89% of the total number of houses on the list. This is a bit of a drop since the last update as the next 10 states on the list have grown in terms of the total number of homes located in those states. </p><p>Although not one of the top states in the list, South Dakota added 11 new homes taking it over 50 homes documented so far. For the second update in a row, it had the biggest increase among the states that have fewer documented homes. It keeps South Dakota in the top 20 list of states with Sears houses. </p><p>I once again have to make sure to credit our newest member of the kit house research team, Matthew, for an incredible number of finds over the past 2 months. He found over 350 of the 500 homes located since the last update. That's a tremendous number of homes in such a short time period. His discoveries ranged across a number of states and included a number of early models and testimonial houses. </p><p>The national database of Sears Modern Homes is the collective work of a number of kit house researchers located across the country. The sources of the information in the database include the personal work of those researchers, the work of other kit house researchers, publicly available resources including newspapers and websites and information provided by home owners and other members of the public with an interest in kit houses.</p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-23305651658501069022022-09-30T20:49:00.006-07:002022-10-01T07:49:02.657-07:00Sears Vallonia in Westfield Center, Ohio<p>This week's example of the Sears Roebuck "Vallonia", located in Westfield Center, Ohio, shows off one of the details you may see if the house still retains its original look. In the middle of the piece of trim that runs across the top of the front of the porch is what I call a "keystone". It kind of resembles the keystone in an arch, although it doesn't serve the same structural purpose. In the case of the "Vallonia", I believe it's both decorative and functional, providing support at a location where two trim boards meet. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYh_6W-bp_WnQFgbjujL4XXomZ1wuLkZbWnd8KzT7t_IoJXygqNsslGmPqD43SADg7nam76z9Lo_5C9PdfXQ79uFEWfn_rXEKpAEYYTPG-Yp-dU5HxQMOGA0cMIPylom2R8tjDlU2EAjoohjipyuLDRTe69jME7rlhBwLuHMFDJm67JZQdpzVMA30l" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYh_6W-bp_WnQFgbjujL4XXomZ1wuLkZbWnd8KzT7t_IoJXygqNsslGmPqD43SADg7nam76z9Lo_5C9PdfXQ79uFEWfn_rXEKpAEYYTPG-Yp-dU5HxQMOGA0cMIPylom2R8tjDlU2EAjoohjipyuLDRTe69jME7rlhBwLuHMFDJm67JZQdpzVMA30l=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>You can see the "keystone" better in this close-up of that portion of the porch below the front dormer. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnsQtic4Z19RAFh7oVaCxKn8Cmce_tuxAy3rTi4UhZ08arQBMW9fbXbrtAgXWRG_y0jRdhJ1QqGoZeXpxuPP4o7fi3PWyR37AMV8sH3dhVlrFRyXdo-vXkkeM_dmS0Dl8Xf9obtZzAvLLXxkabDxiPXoflsSwFCT8mbi7p1MqRQWl4oThS5bmC_2Mo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="501" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnsQtic4Z19RAFh7oVaCxKn8Cmce_tuxAy3rTi4UhZ08arQBMW9fbXbrtAgXWRG_y0jRdhJ1QqGoZeXpxuPP4o7fi3PWyR37AMV8sH3dhVlrFRyXdo-vXkkeM_dmS0Dl8Xf9obtZzAvLLXxkabDxiPXoflsSwFCT8mbi7p1MqRQWl4oThS5bmC_2Mo=w400-h274" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>That detail is an original part of the "Vallonia" model as you can see from the catalog image. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUl9A-24fuHeVZDJmBKFt-qAdt_CeOQPaIbjZujJ62rPGUMZEuTQvx97H3zqhetEZoMYdHXMr_W6aKrkvXHggZRedIiHrDlb9xJjNA3cRACwcv3piSvlMPfRLQDZVKVxibfGevVUzYTg9EEBwF6WzNSwBMD4UufP9SzqeDMFThiRrvbNZlMFBzVF8i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1295" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUl9A-24fuHeVZDJmBKFt-qAdt_CeOQPaIbjZujJ62rPGUMZEuTQvx97H3zqhetEZoMYdHXMr_W6aKrkvXHggZRedIiHrDlb9xJjNA3cRACwcv3piSvlMPfRLQDZVKVxibfGevVUzYTg9EEBwF6WzNSwBMD4UufP9SzqeDMFThiRrvbNZlMFBzVF8i=w400-h171" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>From this view from inside the porch, you can see how that piece functions. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0qsrsxw8pQNNH7f3BizlPAIrW3eL1tMc9OVgmzGEeeURbSvW7L9w4lXN-ss7JtRNjVp4xoqdq89HgP8Lx86C6Q6SiYR6rBsQ0iEmeY138_Vm6daFvjbAdAa8j0bhBTOWhHBbAPdbfD2TcyjpMnhTkkgTd-TMeR4ZYgMG6QMkglhNDEzGa2D9KUDpL"><img alt="" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="576" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0qsrsxw8pQNNH7f3BizlPAIrW3eL1tMc9OVgmzGEeeURbSvW7L9w4lXN-ss7JtRNjVp4xoqdq89HgP8Lx86C6Q6SiYR6rBsQ0iEmeY138_Vm6daFvjbAdAa8j0bhBTOWhHBbAPdbfD2TcyjpMnhTkkgTd-TMeR4ZYgMG6QMkglhNDEzGa2D9KUDpL=w400-h199" width="400" /></a></div><br />Although it's a small detail, spotting that on the front of a house that looks like the "Vallonia" can help you in confirming that you've found one. Here's one last view of the "Vallonia" in Westfield Center, Ohio. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_88ziBAXsyjYZZcgqtD35yQDZmqJcrRLpN1qkQiTtqgTxUlP8ylbCmtMLr3Cr74OIa-xcxLyybTUOjOBbcxHLHigGTta2bdafjZEA9mAzAxaiHD6ge40DXeZEOcxoD9ddnHcPpKVICAFJWAZ8SsT086O1H_N-Nt0_DT7L1j8Vs-TnENJHmy8hVFJV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="891" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_88ziBAXsyjYZZcgqtD35yQDZmqJcrRLpN1qkQiTtqgTxUlP8ylbCmtMLr3Cr74OIa-xcxLyybTUOjOBbcxHLHigGTta2bdafjZEA9mAzAxaiHD6ge40DXeZEOcxoD9ddnHcPpKVICAFJWAZ8SsT086O1H_N-Nt0_DT7L1j8Vs-TnENJHmy8hVFJV=w400-h285" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Watch for another example of the "Vallonia" coming soon! </p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-69728482342769002812022-09-30T12:29:00.016-07:002023-03-23T21:30:50.094-07:00The Century Club - Communities with 100 Sears Homes (or more!)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMi2nWQxxpKgNcGC1uyazFMDl7KRkqIvRP5ExU9TBxx8AhkqU0ppp48W1B6KdgQxVAjV_QGVYnPtYzv8zFrHmEBfnYDltWgIukJljjrFQc-uCoJ8ibS7XBJp54GnC9sejVEAUrOallJ8sLIKFGHuf_Smowpp_jAaqH643oHrlIs2j857bCp6Kz4Bcw" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="270" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMi2nWQxxpKgNcGC1uyazFMDl7KRkqIvRP5ExU9TBxx8AhkqU0ppp48W1B6KdgQxVAjV_QGVYnPtYzv8zFrHmEBfnYDltWgIukJljjrFQc-uCoJ8ibS7XBJp54GnC9sejVEAUrOallJ8sLIKFGHuf_Smowpp_jAaqH643oHrlIs2j857bCp6Kz4Bcw=w200-h194" width="200" /></a></div>As the national database of Sears homes has grown past 15,000 homes, I wanted to share a list of communities where we've identified 100 or more Sears houses, a group I've dubbed "The Century Club". The members of this club are part of a rarified group. Of the 2,600 plus named places where Sears houses have been identified, as of September 2022, only 17 of them can claim to be home to 100 or more Sears homes. As the national database continues to grow, I hope to see new members inducted into the club! Which communities made the cut? Let's take a look! <p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Before I show you who's in the club, let's review some of the caveats about how we count the houses in case you're wondering how we decided who made the list. First, as I've discussed before, these lists aren't the definitive word on which communities have the most Sears house. While 15,000 homes is a lot of homes, it represents - at most - about 25% of the total number of homes sold by Sears (and is likely a smaller percentage based on how many homes most researchers think Sears sold). </p><p>As we find more homes, I expect more communities to join this list. As an example, a year ago, a little over 60 Sears homes had been identified in Arlington, Virginia. Now over double that number have been identified through mortgage research <a href="https://www.searshouseseeker.com/2022/03/sears-houses-in-arlington-virginia.html">done by Judith Chabot</a>, which pushed Arlington into the Century Club. The same is true of Anderson, Indiana and the research done by <a href="https://searshousesinohio.wordpress.com/">Cindy Catanzaro</a> (who built on research previously done by <a href="https://www.kithouse.org/">Rebecca Hunter</a>). </p><p>Second, these numbers are largely a reflection of those places where more comprehensive research has been done. That's everything from mortgage research, newspaper searches, street-level surveys and all the other ways that we find Sears houses. If your community isn't on the list, it's possible that it simply hasn't had the same level of investigation as those listed. But also keep in mind that sometimes the local stories about "neighborhoods built from boxcars full of Sears homes" are legend, not fact. The one exception to that rule on this list is Carlinville, Illinois. Sears Roebuck made sure that everyone knew how many houses they had built in the Standard Addition neighborhood. </p><p>Finally, the definition of place is always a bit arbitrary. Is it based on municipal boundaries? Zip codes? US Census defined boundaries? Sometimes local understanding of what constitutes a place may differ from the definition we've chosen for the database. Washington DC has well-defined boundaries and it's easy to say whether a house is located inside or outside the District of Columbia. But the boundaries of other places can be more fluid. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG_OsIZI_tdWnSIiPsxvVc-Ssom0ZHY5Y4vDtno_VS93r0cDMNbz2u-ZYVRa3def7Jek7wbsaJBYXPjGFbcJU3dSN8A_4zWyyNxdmzfLw5ZX9RbEKcrDseFTgMbFXMXzW6v7OtAl1f9W6BGlNjjKufKuPzQqBd55MxpO6OJb8wztN7OYiJGuXINpK8" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="248" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG_OsIZI_tdWnSIiPsxvVc-Ssom0ZHY5Y4vDtno_VS93r0cDMNbz2u-ZYVRa3def7Jek7wbsaJBYXPjGFbcJU3dSN8A_4zWyyNxdmzfLw5ZX9RbEKcrDseFTgMbFXMXzW6v7OtAl1f9W6BGlNjjKufKuPzQqBd55MxpO6OJb8wztN7OYiJGuXINpK8=w198-h200" width="198" /></a></div>A good example of this is Cincinnati, Ohio. The "Queen City" is number one of our list with over 750 Sears houses identified within its boundaries. But that number doesn't include the Sears houses built in Norwood, Ohio - another Century Club member - which is an enclave of Cincinnati, surrounded on all sides by its larger neighbor. Nor does that total include the Sears homes built in many of its suburban neighbors, like Cheviot and Wyoming, that have significant number of Sears homes and border directly on the city. One could make an argument that the total for Cincinnati should include all its neighboring communities as they are understood to be part of the greater Cincinnati region. <p></p><p>We'll leave that discussion for the local boosters of Sears homes to sort out. For now, we'll stick to the place names as they've been entered into the database. One last note - I've included Cranford, New Jersey, the home of the "Sunny Acres" Home Club development by Sears Roebuck. While we track the Home Club developments separately in the national databases, these houses were built from plans and materials from Sears Roebuck. I consider them a part of the overall "Modern Homes" program and worth noting on this list. </p><p>As of September 2022, here are the communities where 100 or more Sears homes have been identified.<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Cleveland, Ohio added January 2023.</b></li><li><b>LaPorte, Indiana added March 2023 </b></li><li><b>Colonie, New York added March 2023</b></li><li><b>New York City, New York added March 2023. </b></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Washington DC<br /><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Illinois</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Aurora</li><li>Carlinville</li><li>Elgin</li><li>Rockford</li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Indiana</b></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anderson</li><li>Gary</li><li>LaPorte</li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Michigan</b></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Flint</li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b>New Jersey</b></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cranford (Home Club development)</li></ul></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>New York</b></p></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Colonie</li><li>New York City</li><li>Yonkers</li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Ohio</b></p></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Akron</li><li>Cincinnati</li><li>Cleveland</li><li>Columbus</li><li>Dayton</li><li>Norwood</li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Pennsylvania</b></p></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pittsburgh</li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Virginia</b></p></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.searshouseseeker.com/2022/03/sears-houses-in-arlington-virginia.html">Arlington</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div></div><p></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-43325384856611131572022-09-17T08:01:00.010-07:002022-09-17T20:34:47.990-07:00Aladdin Colonial in Maysville, Kentucky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcCcaCCmZ5fS6OBrEqTPigLhfn-40QFBqwqy8rBKgXDOSd-K5iHl4cwZ20bhf3pm3FkKI-cVDruXmEWAb6dmCI9x_hIt88znH-phAU-iHOFEK4pPm3Q-3MFwpMHPLR9SoDOVw8x5n7DbFleAkod3E_PR09EKsXf2xxSHEaN0KB_g9frfQQ9gQyMKOc" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1344" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcCcaCCmZ5fS6OBrEqTPigLhfn-40QFBqwqy8rBKgXDOSd-K5iHl4cwZ20bhf3pm3FkKI-cVDruXmEWAb6dmCI9x_hIt88znH-phAU-iHOFEK4pPm3Q-3MFwpMHPLR9SoDOVw8x5n7DbFleAkod3E_PR09EKsXf2xxSHEaN0KB_g9frfQQ9gQyMKOc=w200-h133" width="200" /></a></div>As regular readers know, I search Zillow almost every day looking for potential kit houses. One of the searches that I do is looking for houses that have "Sears" in the description. As I've shared, this isn't a very reliable method for identifying houses from Sears Roebuck. I would say that more than half the houses that claim to be from Sears are definitely not from Sears and are likely not kit houses at all. Of the rest, most of them actually are from Sears. But a small percentage of those are models from other kit house companies that are erroneously listed as being from Sears. Such is the case with this lovely example of a "Colonial" from the Aladdin Company of Bay City, Michigan. Let's take a look!<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>The Aladdin Company of Bay City, Michigan, which sold kit houses under the "Aladdin Homes" brand, was the first and the longest running of the companies that sold kit homes during the height of the kit house era. An innovator in the industry, its ideas like pre-cut lumber and giving models names instead of just numbers were later "emulated" by its major competitors including Sears and Gordon Van Tine. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC9j-9uNebefIKe8TO1GQZrkHtLEZbAVzsJDdNKLNUFJ5W_E6BuXwI7BMMCsJRuZZenUNEKLwTO0DJhM6H1Vsgw6IGPDFI1T-C9cLHVDjZNPHGLtm0Jy-S18Du2QC8bwSReTPbKXcPWaNoECNgtgGeC1_VYPJNqo4bpyKG-yTqFomd5432OFoSDBz6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="400" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC9j-9uNebefIKe8TO1GQZrkHtLEZbAVzsJDdNKLNUFJ5W_E6BuXwI7BMMCsJRuZZenUNEKLwTO0DJhM6H1Vsgw6IGPDFI1T-C9cLHVDjZNPHGLtm0Jy-S18Du2QC8bwSReTPbKXcPWaNoECNgtgGeC1_VYPJNqo4bpyKG-yTqFomd5432OFoSDBz6=w400-h289" width="400" /></a></div><br />Like its competitors, Aladdin sold houses in a wide range of sizes and styles. One of the largest models that Aladdin sold was the "Colonial", a large, two story colonial style house notable for its three small dormers on the front of the house and the large, semi-circular front porch.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrIg3lOSMzCtYTRzw-j6CCEr0_a1SXajcG85MLip0QpFGq27mQTRnyWuOF0t7VSExurWO0mioEC42L0F0ZGFL9z689xDs6757jBJzhR65B96Xreo7XnrCrqvstkdPau7nQkOVPwo8zAA3Riva2-s5SPytPIg5ufkIZhhB2Xod394Gthm5_V7yj_xfa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="594" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrIg3lOSMzCtYTRzw-j6CCEr0_a1SXajcG85MLip0QpFGq27mQTRnyWuOF0t7VSExurWO0mioEC42L0F0ZGFL9z689xDs6757jBJzhR65B96Xreo7XnrCrqvstkdPau7nQkOVPwo8zAA3Riva2-s5SPytPIg5ufkIZhhB2Xod394Gthm5_V7yj_xfa=w400-h272" width="400" /></a></div><br />Because of its distinctive look, a number of examples of this house have been found around the country. Here's an authenticated example from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.<p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXCDYkOUMk_hkHpW4WkseYeSvfWbbDkUAl7_N_6nd01YCVBTBNYSwqMyn5cdRqq0Ho19r1SykP-LzJTVr_4icIfH1rriRWS3Q2Al08K9aBDrHqs8OCqbArMulj56WaZV-QcP2Ip9B_ni5dhIexwPsUQwP_sefRB8eedLuGxOnZymyHoWZPAAtmeNJw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="592" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXCDYkOUMk_hkHpW4WkseYeSvfWbbDkUAl7_N_6nd01YCVBTBNYSwqMyn5cdRqq0Ho19r1SykP-LzJTVr_4icIfH1rriRWS3Q2Al08K9aBDrHqs8OCqbArMulj56WaZV-QcP2Ip9B_ni5dhIexwPsUQwP_sefRB8eedLuGxOnZymyHoWZPAAtmeNJw=w400-h272" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Aladdin "Colonial" - Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> The example for sale in Maysville, Kentucky looks equally as nice. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyyzCnukW-oNZoiHA6DQSw4CU9EZovjB7yGfQU02z8j8nPWUfN8XDrzZT1ujWNa9bfTTvlOyyctrtk8PhaoAKXQYi0y4d5F-Njy7MiX2-9Stj7cUgy9_etLHspr7biCSEsHb0nc-x2S8mWG9F5RSNh2QMjaBZiz785EaJDLf-EpCj60XcuwkmmjXr6" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1344" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyyzCnukW-oNZoiHA6DQSw4CU9EZovjB7yGfQU02z8j8nPWUfN8XDrzZT1ujWNa9bfTTvlOyyctrtk8PhaoAKXQYi0y4d5F-Njy7MiX2-9Stj7cUgy9_etLHspr7biCSEsHb0nc-x2S8mWG9F5RSNh2QMjaBZiz785EaJDLf-EpCj60XcuwkmmjXr6=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Aladdin "Colonial" - Maysville, Kentucky</b></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><p></p>
<p>So how did a house that clearly is from Aladdin get labeled as being from Sears? Actually, this happens quite a bit. Over the years, the origin story for the house can get transformed and the fact that it's a kit house from a specific company gets turned into a kit house from Sears because it's the one company that most people have heard of if they've heard of kit houses. Most people don't know about Aladdin or Lewis or Gordon Van Tine or any other of Sears major competitors. I've even read of family members getting the company wrong and labeling authenticated examples from other companies as being from Sears. It happens and part of the work of sharing the story of Sears and Aladdin and the others is educating people on the differences. </p><p>Here's a couple more views of the Aladdin "Colonial" in Maysville. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH1GwGP8LXnEm7QDcGuxC-8AABd8S2WMZ1Fk861LfHU2gEpI4hj43t-uBRcKOYlH30B32zhVY3-qvI09GIv_WU4FL7XnW478uARV4Jdn6unSYlXPTFJUlT4W0UC1RD04wC-sA3t_Heyn-liU1wKrVJGdu4mTvkPouAqq9uwgd4nsLf3seRX3CErFV2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1344" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH1GwGP8LXnEm7QDcGuxC-8AABd8S2WMZ1Fk861LfHU2gEpI4hj43t-uBRcKOYlH30B32zhVY3-qvI09GIv_WU4FL7XnW478uARV4Jdn6unSYlXPTFJUlT4W0UC1RD04wC-sA3t_Heyn-liU1wKrVJGdu4mTvkPouAqq9uwgd4nsLf3seRX3CErFV2=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXzArik9Ncro94eDlq0RnQBvDT1mjxExapGvCW6iPBB1-NbXFSQz0e6_u37IFoxNnFalnxbkZ2rYHk5L2hXYbBLF-5n2FTRB_x5jpAKjGPZSzonMJb-ngbZyv9APUs_EAipCkT5v2tvlxFhsm7TQbvqON0XIdSd-d-7g-w0aKxXFifyAeXARhacGxK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1344" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXzArik9Ncro94eDlq0RnQBvDT1mjxExapGvCW6iPBB1-NbXFSQz0e6_u37IFoxNnFalnxbkZ2rYHk5L2hXYbBLF-5n2FTRB_x5jpAKjGPZSzonMJb-ngbZyv9APUs_EAipCkT5v2tvlxFhsm7TQbvqON0XIdSd-d-7g-w0aKxXFifyAeXARhacGxK=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>As you can imagine in a house this size, the rooms are generous in size and the tall ceilings only add to the impression of the size of the rooms. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi86LVn4eOZmbaa-kgQz9IxTFlp4WgDMYXgFdrzsyc1KkfkNQw_bCj3r2QGx-Fi4cukOFp1K5R4OFdxmKUDTrHAZ8EmsW_Exh9g18N_pfOHeyx05CDVxTN1poHC8JAVOge722V8wJhsrwvsm0ybngg16o2Sak3MAF_bXf2TEE7gRTa6dQK_vijQuHwY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1344" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi86LVn4eOZmbaa-kgQz9IxTFlp4WgDMYXgFdrzsyc1KkfkNQw_bCj3r2QGx-Fi4cukOFp1K5R4OFdxmKUDTrHAZ8EmsW_Exh9g18N_pfOHeyx05CDVxTN1poHC8JAVOge722V8wJhsrwvsm0ybngg16o2Sak3MAF_bXf2TEE7gRTa6dQK_vijQuHwY=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></div><br />Is this fireplace design an original from Aladdin? It may be! I haven't seen it in the catalogs but it looks appropriate for the era when this house was sold. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDnIN8YEgcNdknKADCDHKlxrokS7yQlZf5FCLuBUHMC9teRfswtuQbHyV0yYugueFLA-K8Qc-zJvsQv7RV9Y3KUkPIAgChaYXJDiNPXL4s_Nsrktu02rAq2mO1cMANn_167FZalSDFrHbhXmIh4yRXRjOrclMqpJycRwnkPfvlvfHsJEdzxHRVBuzD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1344" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDnIN8YEgcNdknKADCDHKlxrokS7yQlZf5FCLuBUHMC9teRfswtuQbHyV0yYugueFLA-K8Qc-zJvsQv7RV9Y3KUkPIAgChaYXJDiNPXL4s_Nsrktu02rAq2mO1cMANn_167FZalSDFrHbhXmIh4yRXRjOrclMqpJycRwnkPfvlvfHsJEdzxHRVBuzD=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></div><br />I wanted to finish not with a photo of the house but with a view from the property. Wow! The future owner gets a very unique house in American history and a spectacular view to go with it. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8j2biFu-F_QPX5Wj1FIeNUoO9jjIukoXSUh0QOwog9h6ump4u51cdj7FYO-omxxL2IARGdLyo8QpePPrqD_Qn_D1ZOKkRXc6dAu6IBg-K9kbOobsiqXqbTVfFo7_c9pwdqHJ_ITSdaGm4md_FEucttrEpCO_bOT-mlPHylWs3rqm4EtXYgPUcxNrH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1344" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8j2biFu-F_QPX5Wj1FIeNUoO9jjIukoXSUh0QOwog9h6ump4u51cdj7FYO-omxxL2IARGdLyo8QpePPrqD_Qn_D1ZOKkRXc6dAu6IBg-K9kbOobsiqXqbTVfFo7_c9pwdqHJ_ITSdaGm4md_FEucttrEpCO_bOT-mlPHylWs3rqm4EtXYgPUcxNrH=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br />Interested in seeing more photos of the house? You can see those on the <a href="https://259edgemontroad.hh.howardhanna.com/index.html">real estate listing</a>. <br /><div><br /></div><div>The "Colonial" model was first offered as the "LaSalle" before Aladdin changed the name in 1918. This house has a built date of 1905, which we know is incorrect so if this house was built before 1918, it's technically a "LaSalle". But like other models that had their name changed, the name that sticks is the one that sold the most examples. In this case, we have more known "Colonial"s than "LaSalle"s. If more information comes to light on when this house was built, I'll update the post as necessary. <div><br /></div><div>The best way for the owners to confirm the build date is to contact the <a href="https://www.cmich.edu/research/clarke-historical-library/explore-collection/explore-online/michigan-material/alladin-company-bay-city">Clarke Historical Library</a> at Central Michigan University where most of the original sales records for the Aladdin company are archived. The staff there may be able to track down the sales record for the house that would confirm the date it was sold (and provide the owners with a lot of cool information about the house from its original sales price to the original paint colors!)</div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-7234631657557907122022-09-15T22:02:00.011-07:002022-09-16T07:22:25.497-07:00Testimonial House: Sears No. 306 in Griswold, Iowa<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9VpNjVL-vz5r05da4uGNFynpmyrBcemXrc9AhYyNBt6BgpkKc70xxJXbZ9ne1B6yZjtHMGewy3Y1PdH_4F4MtAEy3HtJAUytCWgIGIOIGKEETfW1odftqRIWKgGB1mT5zwNo5LakU09iJmV72-FqNG84ugr7Q_BkIXqFJdwSxCeoppMjT8dN9sHzL" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="392" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9VpNjVL-vz5r05da4uGNFynpmyrBcemXrc9AhYyNBt6BgpkKc70xxJXbZ9ne1B6yZjtHMGewy3Y1PdH_4F4MtAEy3HtJAUytCWgIGIOIGKEETfW1odftqRIWKgGB1mT5zwNo5LakU09iJmV72-FqNG84ugr7Q_BkIXqFJdwSxCeoppMjT8dN9sHzL=w174-h200" width="174" /></a></div>Recently, the group of kit house researchers I work with has been using Rebecca Hunter's "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Putting-Sears-Homes-Map-Testimonials/dp/0976209608">Putting Sears Homes on the Map</a>" book as a reference to locate testimonial houses. Most of the locations listed in the book are for houses that were referenced in the "Modern Homes" catalog either tied to a specific owner or location in the United States. But some of testimonials listed by Rebecca come from a book that Sears put out around 1912 called "Successful Building". This book was filled with customer testimonials including photos of the houses that they built. While many of those testimonials also appeared elsewhere, some of them, as far as I know, didn't appear anywhere else in Sears advertising, either in the "Modern Homes" catalog or the General Merchandise catalog. I recently had the good fortune of tracking down one of those houses in Griswold, Iowa. Let's take a look!<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>When I started my search, the house I was looking for was listed as a "No. 215/No. 306 variant". The No. 306, which was later sold as the No. 215, was one of the larger homes that Sears sold in the early years of the "Modern Homes" catalogs. The No. 306 didn't appear in the 1908 "Modern Homes" catalog but it was listed in the 1911 catalog although it may have appeared before 1911. A couple years later, it was listed as the No. 215. It's final appearance was in the 1917 catalog, which means it was never a "named" model (in the 1918 catalog, all the models were given names like "Avoca" and "Preston"). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjob6TOFuWz1bZdGEWrPt50xd-uXS0a4ftd8yNbxSxzsrxW9ZqsePnFK-y6QlKuFWMLRjxh-i_Gj3FNTl04V8Xw0VM0HlhGaf6w3GfMgXP_uPywUGreWZ-f9bjbwj5pq31pSXThuDvvNZ_6h3KdEb9z7orpWgGJ1D3C1X6wPeoiM4C8QvPKYDwXBKTw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="707" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjob6TOFuWz1bZdGEWrPt50xd-uXS0a4ftd8yNbxSxzsrxW9ZqsePnFK-y6QlKuFWMLRjxh-i_Gj3FNTl04V8Xw0VM0HlhGaf6w3GfMgXP_uPywUGreWZ-f9bjbwj5pq31pSXThuDvvNZ_6h3KdEb9z7orpWgGJ1D3C1X6wPeoiM4C8QvPKYDwXBKTw=w400-h259" width="400" /></a></div><br />According to "Putting Sears Homes on the Map", the house was located in Griswold, Iowa. Griswold is a city of less than 1,000 residents located in southwest Iowa, not far from Omaha, Nebraska. In the early 1900s, the city was served by an extension of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which would have facilitated the delivery of the materials for a house from Sears Roebuck. In more recent year, the rail line, which entered the city from the south, was abandoned and only the faint hints of the line's route through the countryside are still visible.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzfoo7OnbcXtzWNy3Up2sIf3pm6aAck516g-IrEMSLmzLj13V0bNIiHJukOb-mQsU4N8mLwYlb0YzbHKK1rvhVIxwgNXdwiXHtPy__UR58ZErNDo5UuPnpd0NVap8ACauZ6cAU6026r6bz7T2QQtBJVVTQSITmEVUEGbFClSMT91ND08q4cV4x4FHq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="659" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzfoo7OnbcXtzWNy3Up2sIf3pm6aAck516g-IrEMSLmzLj13V0bNIiHJukOb-mQsU4N8mLwYlb0YzbHKK1rvhVIxwgNXdwiXHtPy__UR58ZErNDo5UuPnpd0NVap8ACauZ6cAU6026r6bz7T2QQtBJVVTQSITmEVUEGbFClSMT91ND08q4cV4x4FHq=w400-h328" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image courtesy of the <a href="https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/">Iowa Digital Library</a></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Thankfully, despite its small size, quite a few of the city's streets had been driven by Google and appeared in Streetview. The quality of Streetview can vary from town to town but in Griswold, most of it was good quality and included streets that had been driven as recently as 2021. <p></p><p>Griswold is small enough that I probably could have driven all the visible streets through Google Maps to see if I could find the house. But I also had the name of the original owner - H. D. Turner - and I checked to see if that would help me pin down the location of the house. Using Ancestry.com, I found that there was a "Hector D. Turner" who lived in Griswold for a number of years. In 1920, he lived on Fourth Street but the census record didn't include an exact address. </p><p>Hector died in 1948 but his wife Dora appeared in the 1950 Census, still living on Fourth Street. But the 1950 Census also didn't include an address. I checked some other sources but I didn't have any luck placing Dora at a specific address on Fourth Street. But as Fourth Street is only 9 blocks long and most of it was visible in Streetview, I fired up my Google car and took it for a "drive" to see if I could find something that looked like a No. 306. </p><p>I started on the east side of town and had made it through the center of town when I spotted this house at 600 Fourth Street. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin302BE-2Jla0XBN1M7ACkfLN-9D9WLH14KNGQU8pfouIteW3X1UZvy0LGMR7p81AoofAWlHTtWK2ED5XoWu88iWGrxesZgiz8w16En9wAkdkPfiTMw4-ZBoALq7CeC6EKJjTFoeRZ4y-0Luqpd6GM8ZhJMe241KN6KVSg7ZY-FNeWHEV-NYxRG9mi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="534" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin302BE-2Jla0XBN1M7ACkfLN-9D9WLH14KNGQU8pfouIteW3X1UZvy0LGMR7p81AoofAWlHTtWK2ED5XoWu88iWGrxesZgiz8w16En9wAkdkPfiTMw4-ZBoALq7CeC6EKJjTFoeRZ4y-0Luqpd6GM8ZhJMe241KN6KVSg7ZY-FNeWHEV-NYxRG9mi=w400-h340" width="400" /></a></div><br />My first impression was not that it was a No. 306 but that it might be another Sears model, the No. 148, which has the distinctive arrangement of windows at the front corners of the house.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfpj5KwbLZqN_5Irul_yZ1IiqPjlVtNKIGzn_5KLXfk333YsJca7cDjH9fOeFFseVJE8iP-ZIKIh491ChUn1Bxb0FsHvtadhScZIOAFqk84ZFcUJNZS280f9JJE2XhH5C32KkNAvGucFGMuO_4zE9FUddqppOmQeEc_wLS4DeJBVlpI68Ls2tv7fpY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1110" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfpj5KwbLZqN_5Irul_yZ1IiqPjlVtNKIGzn_5KLXfk333YsJca7cDjH9fOeFFseVJE8iP-ZIKIh491ChUn1Bxb0FsHvtadhScZIOAFqk84ZFcUJNZS280f9JJE2XhH5C32KkNAvGucFGMuO_4zE9FUddqppOmQeEc_wLS4DeJBVlpI68Ls2tv7fpY=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br />In fact, the arrangement of the front door and the windows on the front of the house looked like almost a match for the No. 148. But as I got around to the other side of the house, it was clear that this definitely was not a No. 148.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGDafb6_0IwGhFShyJ3b_DheCaG_4JFnzqo03Wwd8qD5qkvtz-YNDMHqC8XuT3CDGQn4zPrCp0UQr5HTa-MNoszg7LiXXX1Du9JhdSPBjCLF9Fel8o9e0A1TDPG81wFS_BxPKo35bF2IDxZMbw4Etix1Qk9-ykIbPYuf8-51mV8WwtnLE3J3DJ5Ri0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="782" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGDafb6_0IwGhFShyJ3b_DheCaG_4JFnzqo03Wwd8qD5qkvtz-YNDMHqC8XuT3CDGQn4zPrCp0UQr5HTa-MNoszg7LiXXX1Du9JhdSPBjCLF9Fel8o9e0A1TDPG81wFS_BxPKo35bF2IDxZMbw4Etix1Qk9-ykIbPYuf8-51mV8WwtnLE3J3DJ5Ri0=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></div><br />The right side of the house looked like a much better match for the No. 306. But again, it wasn't an exact match. And the biggest difference, besides the No. 148-style arrangement of the front door and windows, was the lack of the wraparound porch. So was this the house? After confirming the address and taking some snapshots from different angles, I continued down the remainder of Fourth Street that was visible. <div><br /></div><div>I finished up Fourth Street without finding any other possible candidates. I decided to look around the remainder of the city that was visible in Streetview to see if I could spot any other houses from Sears or any other kit house companies. I also did some searches in Zillow to see if that would reveal any houses in the parts of town not on Streetview. </div><div><br /></div><div>After all that, I didn't spot any candidates elsewhere in Griswold which left me with a few options:<p>1. The house at 600 Fourth Street was the "No. 215/No. 306 variant". That was a strong possibility based on knowing that the Turners lived on Fourth and that this house appeared to be based on the No. 306. </p><p>2. The house I was seeking was on the part of the Fourth not visible on Streetview. This seemed less likely based on what I could see from aerial photos. </p><p>3. The house was located in another part of Griswold or had been built in a location nearby but outside the city limits. </p><p>4. The house had been demolished. Unfortunately, that has been the fate of some of the testimonials I've tried to track down. </p><p>I was pretty sure I had found the house. But I like to be certain, so I noted the address in the database we have of all the testimonials in "Putting Sears Homes on the Map" with the hope that something would come up in the future to confirm that address. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3FuTW0vymkDUpHyqn-pVKT-Kcyiun2VPLcim_EEu1e4q-SHwh4OB2kjjtGx5qhFBHmo591_BccBkx-dhIYq1EUvGT3zLxSlEX-Kt7-3IRDHp0rvZ9X-ky0Q2RpHP2fDpecaU_D-AlllwELCWUMKCw9baVZNXDa28ArsxHMu5mS_V6gYbG-oWUhfHb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="664" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3FuTW0vymkDUpHyqn-pVKT-Kcyiun2VPLcim_EEu1e4q-SHwh4OB2kjjtGx5qhFBHmo591_BccBkx-dhIYq1EUvGT3zLxSlEX-Kt7-3IRDHp0rvZ9X-ky0Q2RpHP2fDpecaU_D-AlllwELCWUMKCw9baVZNXDa28ArsxHMu5mS_V6gYbG-oWUhfHb=w400-h136" width="400" /></a></div><br />Fast forward a month or so and I got a message from Matthew, one of the kit house researcher wunderkinds in our group. He had been looking through a resource online from Chicagology that I had shared with him that includes a number of the testimonials from the "Successful Building" book. I hadn't looked at the site in ages but as Matthew was going through the various houses and comparing them to the database, he realized that one of the houses was located in Griswold, Iowa. He looked up the address I had found and compared it to the house on the web site. <br /><br />Look familiar? <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx1MFMLfUYSRLZrMKE8uySDd-3X4NaDonKjpPpUT43uFSjKCpH8hi11_1rHgYBpD4YcLsE-h0nAfa7iVZLGfQr5LTB2V0X8w_3uksjWMbPHJm5fG2jrWhUl--P1ltxB68NnwpUwzxQXcqjZDpMlMhXoLmVbpvb8HHvHKxjKfhPX6JM5vQk6ihEQFNw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="576" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx1MFMLfUYSRLZrMKE8uySDd-3X4NaDonKjpPpUT43uFSjKCpH8hi11_1rHgYBpD4YcLsE-h0nAfa7iVZLGfQr5LTB2V0X8w_3uksjWMbPHJm5fG2jrWhUl--P1ltxB68NnwpUwzxQXcqjZDpMlMhXoLmVbpvb8HHvHKxjKfhPX6JM5vQk6ihEQFNw=w400-h362" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image property of Chicagology </b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Unless someone built 2 examples of this house, I think we found the match. Chicagology lists the house as "Modern Home No. 2016". My best guess is that is a reference to the plan number for the custom design which incorporated elements of a No. 148 into a No. 306. Most likely, this is a one-of-a-kind house. As exciting as it was to get confirmation that I had found the house, I was more excited to know that 110 years after it was built, this Sears Roebuck house still looks largely original to when it was build. How cool is that? </div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-29079772619704545672022-09-15T10:01:00.002-07:002022-09-15T10:01:30.432-07:00Sears Vallonia in Scotia, New York<p>Staying in Scotia, New York, where I recently <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2022/09/sears-ardara-in-scotia-new-york.html">featured a Sears "Ardara"</a>, this week's example of the Sears Roebuck "Vallonia" is a good example of how you can still identify a "Vallonia" even if it doesn't retain all its original details. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiewSI0IaXzDXoeE--QS2aYay4Rwzbh9rTcbGYj1lbUJWjy6sEU13uFZ8r9Ggs8hO4QoU9J01YBQ5NpWMISaj-vXgse1fBymJTtx3SJQjilSc6f87omIrf4GZabUOUr7zI4NnYtZb2zIJVxUIsG3185UhuLRaE1VDZ9zpULsZDnTbRtcA5z_0pcVpjJ"><img alt="" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1287" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiewSI0IaXzDXoeE--QS2aYay4Rwzbh9rTcbGYj1lbUJWjy6sEU13uFZ8r9Ggs8hO4QoU9J01YBQ5NpWMISaj-vXgse1fBymJTtx3SJQjilSc6f87omIrf4GZabUOUr7zI4NnYtZb2zIJVxUIsG3185UhuLRaE1VDZ9zpULsZDnTbRtcA5z_0pcVpjJ=w400-h239" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p>As you can see, this "Vallonia" had its front porch enclosed, hiding the original columns (if they are still there) and it has been given a modern treatment of "stone" bases where the original porch column bases were located. But even though the trim has been replaced with what appears to be aluminum siding and the purlins on the front dormer have been similarly wrapped, we can still see the original lines of the "Vallonia". </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSzxT5zysySPkmqb0Om1a4Gk8sieuaLNAZO2Hi3qztnarADgswzgN6eqc_N3BkbVHcNqG-DUj_vPrcjroPjLpx2IyN1cokYYOvKPvqC8c7Jqhwv2oGv7hpYFzKyJMDYOYFYqi6ygWem4AwOUzcowSdumP3gwl1ml6BaPWf6ui7UyRlkJGJb7RRh4_T" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1316" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSzxT5zysySPkmqb0Om1a4Gk8sieuaLNAZO2Hi3qztnarADgswzgN6eqc_N3BkbVHcNqG-DUj_vPrcjroPjLpx2IyN1cokYYOvKPvqC8c7Jqhwv2oGv7hpYFzKyJMDYOYFYqi6ygWem4AwOUzcowSdumP3gwl1ml6BaPWf6ui7UyRlkJGJb7RRh4_T=w400-h260" width="400" /></a></div><br />On the left side of the house, we can see two distinct features of the "Vallonia" that help us differentiate it from the very similar looking Sears "Sheridan" and look-a-like houses. First,we can count the 7 purlins that, while wrapped, still extend from the side of the house, supporting the overhanging roof. To be honest, I don't know if the purlins on the "Vallonia" are structural or decorative. But we're always looking for 7. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2wBbY7-uVNQCbKkBUC81wAhCniJ9esHdDM-ZmKOkZ_WjtNoTYAYm24sWxsUWLUvofJDVeB2L4-dqgZLFYJpZybfVK93iM5noAqH5j6XVRuZMjujCb8u95nnyDYWc7YvLA7tIzEImshPP4QlXsGazVsbZYu4I43MpRbusx9a6G6CN1faCSxq-OOCQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1321" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2wBbY7-uVNQCbKkBUC81wAhCniJ9esHdDM-ZmKOkZ_WjtNoTYAYm24sWxsUWLUvofJDVeB2L4-dqgZLFYJpZybfVK93iM5noAqH5j6XVRuZMjujCb8u95nnyDYWc7YvLA7tIzEImshPP4QlXsGazVsbZYu4I43MpRbusx9a6G6CN1faCSxq-OOCQw=w400-h191" width="400" /></a></div><br />On the dining room dormer that bumps out from the side of the house, we want to see 2 single windows separated from each other. If you see 2 windows together on a house that looks a lot like a "Vallonia", it's probably a Sears "Sheridan". <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghhJ3fu1LPUX4apoRgXdsJwGYfB9xPkZpSsFMVDAhbQsPZCggY5MTkCjwWHLT0BPZogS2-41YxaCPDIqJdcFyEE7U6Vm_AR3Qwk4vrAf3PKc1z4EeWgAG7tSWAc7SMSE50YYD6X6dA4Mq7Eq9kBNgprcGffIqa-rD-qrivSV6j2Mhvz_msAdFnGLy_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1272" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghhJ3fu1LPUX4apoRgXdsJwGYfB9xPkZpSsFMVDAhbQsPZCggY5MTkCjwWHLT0BPZogS2-41YxaCPDIqJdcFyEE7U6Vm_AR3Qwk4vrAf3PKc1z4EeWgAG7tSWAc7SMSE50YYD6X6dA4Mq7Eq9kBNgprcGffIqa-rD-qrivSV6j2Mhvz_msAdFnGLy_=w400-h259" width="400" /></a></div><br />Even the back of the house can provide us clues about whether a house is a "Vallonia" or not. That tall chimney for the furnace that's located in the middle of the roof? That's the correct location to find it on the "Vallonia". See you next week with another example of the "Vallonia"!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-32153971915869744832022-09-12T20:50:00.002-07:002022-09-12T20:54:11.053-07:00Sears Ardara in Scotia, New York<p>One of the more unique designs from Sears Roebuck was the Sears "Ardara". First introduced in the 1919 "Modern Homes" catalog, the "Aradara" is easily recognizable with its prominent curved porch roof. This model is best known for being the first Sears model to be offered with an attached garage, over a decade before that became common on some Sears models. A nice example of the "Ardara" is currently for sale in Scotia, New York, giving us a chance to see this model up close. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuiL6JvAB_5oUelDJDgR_20c2JBXebIK-4U-keM3mPBaONx3XZf3yNYWPeb4UOxzQG74QEsdt7WzwgTuBZtUUBNY-I5zND3MCTaBwu_SGPNoMQMd8dEWhCeESsuDgym-WbpqgbkGfJd5hIbI4i8kCZtqXwSlHRPBjKE8EWOnLSFdqqYKXHMvSYP9bY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="2300" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuiL6JvAB_5oUelDJDgR_20c2JBXebIK-4U-keM3mPBaONx3XZf3yNYWPeb4UOxzQG74QEsdt7WzwgTuBZtUUBNY-I5zND3MCTaBwu_SGPNoMQMd8dEWhCeESsuDgym-WbpqgbkGfJd5hIbI4i8kCZtqXwSlHRPBjKE8EWOnLSFdqqYKXHMvSYP9bY=w400-h243" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Ardara - 1921 "Modern Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Let's take a look! <br /><p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p>Although not many examples of this house have been identified, it must have been a fairly popular model as it continued to be sold through the 1931 "Modern Homes" catalog. This particular example of the "Ardara" in Scotia, New York does not include the garage, likely due to the size of the lot (it appears to have a shared driveway with the house next door). <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV3q_PAnWIcOqlfAzMqO6AZLDta0AA-3wZWhrfeov_nNVECWU5OT9_j-qIdheWCtshp5AiDRfTdADI_DlWR1NAsKUtxu7RtS383K8FN6sJunjVoj8RilXM6l9G6ClWP1BfIby1XdMY0jK_ciNG8FrVgU0f5NKOuCb-5M82VPjpHdIg8TKvuuJ4W5G-" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1093" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV3q_PAnWIcOqlfAzMqO6AZLDta0AA-3wZWhrfeov_nNVECWU5OT9_j-qIdheWCtshp5AiDRfTdADI_DlWR1NAsKUtxu7RtS383K8FN6sJunjVoj8RilXM6l9G6ClWP1BfIby1XdMY0jK_ciNG8FrVgU0f5NKOuCb-5M82VPjpHdIg8TKvuuJ4W5G-=w400-h350" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Ardara - Scotia. New York</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Even back then, the Sears architects recognized the potential danger from car fumes and for houses that had an attached garage, designed the garage to be well separated from interior living spaces as shown in the floor plan below.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyNiP_rWGcWUayIQj_Bkx4beKqCCuAcActxbN65OQ-xJZiCS8WKa4QXhDgGNJWz0i3ZeheBXh8IFH5l1fyDFlg82tHNmYuUdHE8qlJZVBeow4ZqgMFQs5qGYBr7CuM-asVZjPT_BrnlcBq1ViLxdIg6H31IM3D0RI7EmZbvJa8cJEvOiyN7rSaXUZe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="780" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyNiP_rWGcWUayIQj_Bkx4beKqCCuAcActxbN65OQ-xJZiCS8WKa4QXhDgGNJWz0i3ZeheBXh8IFH5l1fyDFlg82tHNmYuUdHE8qlJZVBeow4ZqgMFQs5qGYBr7CuM-asVZjPT_BrnlcBq1ViLxdIg6H31IM3D0RI7EmZbvJa8cJEvOiyN7rSaXUZe=w342-h400" width="342" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Despite the lack of the garage, the has a lot of original details including that prominent front porch, front door with sidelights and inside the house, original wood floors and millwork.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj8RIOBqmaKVWqT5Nh-lbAZu6DhPQZtwKiD5SiUbhl_Hpg4zFTLdrccFWatioxBGQAyByuIWVGZ-3zEK4nRJ0QCUE7CUQHgzijeDl2LVlZCZWPthOZOEIzqpSNJqK53JIeWOJK38kQjTkvG75yLgCZaCCdnTTfZIwGBrokagWFe-WEML3teYNGTEK7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="797" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj8RIOBqmaKVWqT5Nh-lbAZu6DhPQZtwKiD5SiUbhl_Hpg4zFTLdrccFWatioxBGQAyByuIWVGZ-3zEK4nRJ0QCUE7CUQHgzijeDl2LVlZCZWPthOZOEIzqpSNJqK53JIeWOJK38kQjTkvG75yLgCZaCCdnTTfZIwGBrokagWFe-WEML3teYNGTEK7=w400-h250" width="400" /></a></div><br />On the doors, you can see original Sears hardware including "Stratford" hardware and those distinctive Sears door hinges.</div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnOa9ip_H2O0UuJwzL_4zJrvUfFaL9JsYfBe6LNCWruDu2LVbFqkiSmQebyPF4q_gQRMiRt9ycVsyy5f6HLKGdM1Xc4SyKvexXQn1fPfITix0RhXUnKnZzAV_0Og9MlxvOqGx5C1el15DK2UZIMGTfKsonALun6AcsT_ij9MDwiaHPF8gp-6AjPRDb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1097" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnOa9ip_H2O0UuJwzL_4zJrvUfFaL9JsYfBe6LNCWruDu2LVbFqkiSmQebyPF4q_gQRMiRt9ycVsyy5f6HLKGdM1Xc4SyKvexXQn1fPfITix0RhXUnKnZzAV_0Og9MlxvOqGx5C1el15DK2UZIMGTfKsonALun6AcsT_ij9MDwiaHPF8gp-6AjPRDb=w400-h240" width="400" /></a></div><br />Although not shown as a 2 story design, it appears that the attic space of this house has been turned into living space with a bedroom. Just watch your head if you're particularly tall! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCnpL4FzlRMKw07uXR4N3ephHwN0jwsd5mnh8ftEbz1jgf33vAsB9fcVYwm6v2Eefae5ix5fUo5f5y_Ssm8x333ImDkuoobeKChgePQ5W9mBGCIQv_f8v27OZg1piXZ3jrudgOqFdydy_O4MCb85Y877-BHS_39aT3d9vxGrJYseW3H5ojPZblkqAA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCnpL4FzlRMKw07uXR4N3ephHwN0jwsd5mnh8ftEbz1jgf33vAsB9fcVYwm6v2Eefae5ix5fUo5f5y_Ssm8x333ImDkuoobeKChgePQ5W9mBGCIQv_f8v27OZg1piXZ3jrudgOqFdydy_O4MCb85Y877-BHS_39aT3d9vxGrJYseW3H5ojPZblkqAA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Hopefully, this house will sell to someone who will appreciate the history of this unique house! </div></div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-13340576298724982542022-09-08T20:19:00.001-07:002022-09-08T20:19:12.350-07:00Sears Vallonia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<p>The "Vallonia" was one of the most popular models sold by Sears Roebuck. Appearing in the "Modern Homes" catalog for 20 years, it's one of the most identifiable models. With loads of Arts-and-Crafts inspired details, it's an attractive bungalow-style house that still captures the eye of home buyers over 100 years after it was first introduced. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjupMVeUIG9-kIgQ_GiUZ6E8Xr3DQCRJTtkTxEkj9nnF48NS-ES0PIlBt99T7o15t7rwSgti61rwLFNGEGqWFZ7j-Rmw8bCjHXlIe2xGcopjXPSj8QqvPAdslSoqk3PSd5MQZfhixkPIfV9SFXaMll2X3gtcac0iMHnMrM2xiDPGvIpf63u8hxFj8RM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjupMVeUIG9-kIgQ_GiUZ6E8Xr3DQCRJTtkTxEkj9nnF48NS-ES0PIlBt99T7o15t7rwSgti61rwLFNGEGqWFZ7j-Rmw8bCjHXlIe2xGcopjXPSj8QqvPAdslSoqk3PSd5MQZfhixkPIfV9SFXaMll2X3gtcac0iMHnMrM2xiDPGvIpf63u8hxFj8RM=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>To date, almost 600 examples of the "Vallonia" have been identified. Of those, I've been fortunate to see many nice examples of this design so I decided I wanted to share some of those with you. One of those is this "Vallonia" in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3DJj4KDHM72DBVdW-8QVCfZ2XYjcucXfgqZD5qyMWZJhDN_OUmpStjuvUwxFCM0m_nCsQlci5wCk2XOZKCaks5YyD8md8zL2-ijkOK4N2J98exYCa7U7ML60oychbRkj4u9muKDckhG8aeXIuiYwv8AETJqIL6Y-92LL2KaD-zKuyJZ1-RAu1_x-V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1536" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3DJj4KDHM72DBVdW-8QVCfZ2XYjcucXfgqZD5qyMWZJhDN_OUmpStjuvUwxFCM0m_nCsQlci5wCk2XOZKCaks5YyD8md8zL2-ijkOK4N2J98exYCa7U7ML60oychbRkj4u9muKDckhG8aeXIuiYwv8AETJqIL6Y-92LL2KaD-zKuyJZ1-RAu1_x-V=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br />As you can see, this "Vallonia" retains many of the details of the original house design. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKK0Rh3uiBwOEmwVnM8oXJ_RDNvJVvAvkfULGhB_S9QFvvgAas6r6m4psGaYwhDxzHFWzpXOT14O8rGWbQyL6LCuvI9TIYgylE_9fQH1U950OBbH-fyxQG9qi3Uk7IcRFOpz2mFABx8Kih0algT165CQEumI39R9KgKB7QkYR3VWDPiL9OzDDw6i9x" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKK0Rh3uiBwOEmwVnM8oXJ_RDNvJVvAvkfULGhB_S9QFvvgAas6r6m4psGaYwhDxzHFWzpXOT14O8rGWbQyL6LCuvI9TIYgylE_9fQH1U950OBbH-fyxQG9qi3Uk7IcRFOpz2mFABx8Kih0algT165CQEumI39R9KgKB7QkYR3VWDPiL9OzDDw6i9x=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />I plan on sharing a new example each week so if you're a fan of the "Vallonia", keep watching for more of them! <br /><p></p><p></p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-9664247858940244022022-09-07T11:22:00.000-07:002022-09-07T11:22:34.781-07:00Where are the Sears Houses - September 2022 Edition (15,000 houses!)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4jNxU6eBQoNd38Q02tdRu0ol0JASoYCV1w5WHjlyLenma9SprUaGLNX_Lp4Uh9TfHKiaHWIvc1wGUl8BqbRWkaL_BscKAeinav8h4mPr9IjqGEC4vA3deCVxBMPPx2zkILYav4Fnq-OuONqXBfzSN4EbTI3wJmn_7C_pazqEHtrCOopEqlauKs6qi" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="700" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4jNxU6eBQoNd38Q02tdRu0ol0JASoYCV1w5WHjlyLenma9SprUaGLNX_Lp4Uh9TfHKiaHWIvc1wGUl8BqbRWkaL_BscKAeinav8h4mPr9IjqGEC4vA3deCVxBMPPx2zkILYav4Fnq-OuONqXBfzSN4EbTI3wJmn_7C_pazqEHtrCOopEqlauKs6qi=w200-h179" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Hathaway - Hempstead, NY</b></td></tr></tbody></table>If you're a regular reader here, you're probably a bit surprised to see me posting a "Where are the Sears Houses" update. Didn't I just do <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2022/07/where-are-sears-houses-july-2022-edition.html">one of those in July</a>? Indeed, I did. But in just 7 weeks, the national database of Sears houses has grown by over 500 homes and it's time for another update. And not just any update - we've reached the 15,000 house mark! <p></p><p>I'm just as surprised by the turn of events as you are. So I'm pleased to be able to share this news because it represents a ton of work by my fellow kit house researchers and yours truly too. Along with all those new homes discovered are some changes in the line up of states you see at each update. Let's take a look! </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Adding 500 homes in 7 weeks is pretty unprecedented for us. To put it in perspective, the time period between 14,000 homes and 14,500 homes was 7 months. The update prior to that? 9 months. On top of that, at the same time we were adding so many new homes, we were also removing houses from the main list (I'll explain why in a seperate post). Taking those removals into account, I'm estimating that almost 700 new homes were added to the list over the past 7 weeks. That's a lot of new homes! The cool thing is that these houses weren't just in the places where we typically look. As I alluded to in a <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2022/09/kit-house-hunting-august-2022.html">recent post</a>, we've been finding houses in states that don't always get a lot of attention. </p><p>Here is the breakdown of location of houses by state based on approximately 15,000 homes in the database. </p><p>As of the date we passed 15,000 houses, Sears houses have been located in 48 states, the District of Columbia and the Provinces of Alberta and Ontario, Canada. New to the list this month is Wyoming! We knew from Sears "Modern Homes" catalog references that houses had been built in Wyoming. But the newest member of our kit house research team, Matthew, was finally able to track one down. The last 2 states outstanding are Arizona and Hawaii. </p><p>The following is a breakdown of the states that have the largest number of identified Sears homes.</p><p>1. Ohio (3200+ homes): Ohio cruised past the 3,200 mark, adding over 75 new homes since the last update. Ohio still accounts for over 21% of the houses on the list.</p><p>2. Illinois (2500+ homes): After being one house shy of 2,500 at the last update, Illinois added almost 30 houses to move past 2,500 homes. </p><p>3. Pennsylvania (2100+ homes): Pennsylvania added 30 new homes taking it past the 2,100 home mark. </p><p>4. New York (1700+ homes): New York held onto fourth place as it moves closer to 1,800 homes. </p><p>5. Michigan (1100+ homes): Michigan cleared another milestone as it passed 1,100 homes. </p><p>6. Indiana (900+): Indiana saw the biggest jump since the last update adding an astounding 150+ homes! I have no doubt that Indiana will make it to 1,000 homes soon. It's no longer if but when. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoSnDxUH5TbgXQq6rkb818s45XqTqpq7FeWx5Pa5yErDWGwwVHyXJugLifxRs0dI4CFxGEskZA7Kcide90d54ube24PRlOZT-lYFbTu-yykZwAEHoBnIiapAvNRndMcjK5R-x5ziCeg-vUvTcWJy9vAgN00mD3wo8kHoXXtNGtBc4LHLqX4F0ClucG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="887" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoSnDxUH5TbgXQq6rkb818s45XqTqpq7FeWx5Pa5yErDWGwwVHyXJugLifxRs0dI4CFxGEskZA7Kcide90d54ube24PRlOZT-lYFbTu-yykZwAEHoBnIiapAvNRndMcjK5R-x5ziCeg-vUvTcWJy9vAgN00mD3wo8kHoXXtNGtBc4LHLqX4F0ClucG=w400-h166" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears No. 126 and No. 172 - La Porte, Indiana</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />7. New Jersey (700+): New Jersey also hit a new milestone moving past 700 homes. <p></p><p>8. Maryland (350+): Maryland's total actually went down by 1 due to housekeeping on the list. </p><p>9. Virginia (350+): Virginia reached the 350 home mark as it closes in on Maryland. </p><p>10. Washington DC (303): Washington DC's total went down by 1 house, also due to housekeeping on the list. </p><p>11. Kentucky (250+): Kentucky added 20 new homes and is closing in on 275 homes total. </p><p>12. Wisconsin (250+): Wisconsin moved past the 250 homes mark while it maintains twelfth place position on the list. </p><p>13. Connecticut (150+): Connecticut is getting closer to the 200 homes mark with 18 new homes added this month. </p><p>14. Massachusetts (100+): Massachusetts added a handful of new homes since the last update. </p><p>15. West Virginia (100+): West Virginia saw one of the biggest increases with almost 40 new homes added. That not only took it past the 100 homes mark, it moved it ahead of Missouri and into fifteenth place. </p><p>16. Missouri (100+): Missouri added a couple new homes since the last update.</p><p>17. Iowa (100+): Another new addition to the "100 homes" club, Iowa added 34 homes, a big jump for that state. </p><p>Currently, there are 17 states where at least 100 Sears houses have been located within the state with the addition of Iowa and West Virginia in this update. The top 10 states account for 93% of the total number of houses on the list. Although not one of the top states in the list, South Dakota added 16 new homes taking it over 40 homes documented so far. That was the biggest increase among the states that have fewer documented homes although Minnesota wasn't far behind with 9 new homes. <br /></p><p>I would be remiss if I didn't note that this update, this soon, couldn't have happened without the efforts of Matthew, the newest member of our kit house research team. His contributions over the past 2 months have simply been amazing. His finds added several hundred homes to the list and he was easily our top contributor over the past 7 weeks. Among his finds have been a number of early Sears models and homes in places that are off the beaten path. He's been a great addition to the team and we really appreciate his contributions! </p><p>The national database of Sears Modern Homes is the collective work of a number of kit house researchers located across the country. The sources of the information in the database include the personal work of those researchers, the work of other kit house researchers, publicly available resources including newspapers and websites and information provided by home owners and other members of the public with an interest in kit houses.</p><div><br /></div><p></p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-48817743487954287902022-09-06T14:43:00.006-07:002022-09-06T16:48:17.657-07:00Testimonial House: Sears No. 168 in Little Silver, New Jersey<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9d-2tvpcDGDd6DZggJMx8tQ9HzUdyXRL_p-f2YBYGJpAlCxmJ7ZOjMss7b7z9xdU-04UMSFqD5u95AvyqI00f6GDDu36DIrOKR8y317CyVWfcLTLI_gzqMWPRYbb8NiahGQV4bqIaoqNhGD6ZTvJqh-4woOBmufjz0sXzTsDJ_KDjiERuXKMVnUn/s524/1919Testimonial.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="524" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9d-2tvpcDGDd6DZggJMx8tQ9HzUdyXRL_p-f2YBYGJpAlCxmJ7ZOjMss7b7z9xdU-04UMSFqD5u95AvyqI00f6GDDu36DIrOKR8y317CyVWfcLTLI_gzqMWPRYbb8NiahGQV4bqIaoqNhGD6ZTvJqh-4woOBmufjz0sXzTsDJ_KDjiERuXKMVnUn/w200-h180/1919Testimonial.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1919 "Modern Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table>When doing a kit house presentation or talking to reporters, I often equate the search to find and document kit houses with the hunt for buried treasure. While tracking down kit houses is not quite as lucrative, it can provide a similar experience of adventure and discovery. Amongst kit house researchers, many of us equate finding testimonial houses - examples of houses in kit house catalogs and other advertisements that were associated with a specific individual, builder or company - as the equivalent of finding a treasure chest with a stash of Spanish Doubloons. Even though they are often models we know well, the fact that we can connect them to specific individuals makes them a little extra special. I've had some luck finding a few testimonial houses and I want to share one for a Sears No. 168 that I recently tracked down in Little Silver, New Jersey. Let's take a look!<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span>
<p>Testimonial houses came in a variety of flavors. Some of them were as simple as the name of the purchaser, sometimes with just a first initial and last name. If we are fortunate, the testimonial included an address, although those sometimes changed over time. The more detailed testimonials were a little more robust, featuring elements like a quote from the satisfied customer and even a photo of the completed home. Sometimes, the testimonials were tweaked to fit the type of publication where it appeared with a lengthy catalog testimonial being slimmed down for a newspaper advertisement. </p><p>The earliest example of this testimonial for the Sears No. 168 appeared in the 1916 "Modern Homes" catalog. The testimonial was part of a 2 page spread of customer testimonials for a variety of Sears models built in locations across the United States. One page consisted of numbered photos of customers houses. The other page consisted of corresponding testimonials from the customers. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFIEfIJUAtxBotpvwRVEm5NOslYOFuWKAKE-1WGReTde_SFAzzoPS2ug4mf6NcPSqmtXhMtzTxA-ET7KXDkEG8LNMSQZ4Kjh6ThSnnWoYWfyefaJAVIJwrhHroH7A-XtRVsqn5gsKlp5o32oNB1W4JaNIRj6mvJIT75fcIVb8OqO2JskEkuF9ElWA/s626/No.168.1917.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="626" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFIEfIJUAtxBotpvwRVEm5NOslYOFuWKAKE-1WGReTde_SFAzzoPS2ug4mf6NcPSqmtXhMtzTxA-ET7KXDkEG8LNMSQZ4Kjh6ThSnnWoYWfyefaJAVIJwrhHroH7A-XtRVsqn5gsKlp5o32oNB1W4JaNIRj6mvJIT75fcIVb8OqO2JskEkuF9ElWA/w400-h281/No.168.1917.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1917 "Modern Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>In the case of the No. 168, the customer was Leslie Borden Hill and the location of the house was Little Silver, New Jersey. As you can read from Mr. Hill's comments, the contractor who built his house (that's right, not every Sears house was owner-built), was most impressed by the materials sent by Sears. Although the No. 168 had appeared at least as early as the 1911 "Modern Homes" catalog, this was the first customer testimonial specific to this model to appear in the catalog. This version of the testimonial appeared in the 1916 and 1917 "Modern Homes catalog". </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6syodXVSyDpJSrmuKOqV_QreFWLiD2Lk-NJTes7zQUN7z1Uqne5KLKq0lor9_Ti_xrb785BfL0uhNOzFMgLPXDHHQhBaFyKLl1QXraSEnOcnJjCAdpsfnH0EYIVXzygN24xTEWFRplit5D56Atvdzt7ZCJIZ8jUL4n9GcrR3y-FtoBI5VgcLOp6T/s2048/No.12.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="2048" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6syodXVSyDpJSrmuKOqV_QreFWLiD2Lk-NJTes7zQUN7z1Uqne5KLKq0lor9_Ti_xrb785BfL0uhNOzFMgLPXDHHQhBaFyKLl1QXraSEnOcnJjCAdpsfnH0EYIVXzygN24xTEWFRplit5D56Atvdzt7ZCJIZ8jUL4n9GcrR3y-FtoBI5VgcLOp6T/w400-h304/No.12.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1916 "Modern Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In 1918, Sears changed up the format of the testimonials, streamlining them and in the case of Mr. Borden's house, he got a new quote to go with a shortened version of his name. Although the house model name isn't mentioned in this new version of the testimonial, the No. 168 was now known as the "Matoka". In the 1918 catalog, all the house models now sported "names" in addition to their number. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsR9SmvXXgYMIZpxm94FFwIA6xRGh2lOO5mbflqChN845jgW9E6jyaojw4rtASwTC54QK7MnYj9ZVggBnW0DZmHUe00stbGZPHfPpOwIlSkXwesw1tG9Fur6k5z3heGVwq4Re2vKQhfJaeVeTlfJtoysq93mSflQ9b15GSGsE3KSURTtWxIxl1w1I/s524/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="524" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsR9SmvXXgYMIZpxm94FFwIA6xRGh2lOO5mbflqChN845jgW9E6jyaojw4rtASwTC54QK7MnYj9ZVggBnW0DZmHUe00stbGZPHfPpOwIlSkXwesw1tG9Fur6k5z3heGVwq4Re2vKQhfJaeVeTlfJtoysq93mSflQ9b15GSGsE3KSURTtWxIxl1w1I/w400-h360/image.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1919 "Modern Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Borden testimonial appeared for one more year in the 1919 "Modern Homes" catalog. Ironically, the "Matoka" did not! Like many earlier models, Sears had "retired" the "Matoka" in favor of new house designs. Still, Mr. Borden's praise for his house resonated with prospective customers. <p></p><p>While researching testimonial houses, I was surprised to see that Mr. Borden's No. 168 had not yet been located. You would think that a name, a location and a picture of a house would be enough to find a testimonial house. But that's not always the case. Apparently, no one had looked or had looked and had been unable to find the house. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj4uQHJ3UjOxgZ34qycXPTDOW_30NcOVM922SlcowguiqSE8Ri4e2nqOQqOH61QeLIcIKk3wrD0wy9XKTq-Mo-cYZy2CSt0mZRG_GNpZwxebi0mEXj2biixI0_x-vShOMBE7JOIcLo7LbzyzXhQnsf9vHgYKDm6kNRP33t750YYA7O40Q-il_SQje/s544/No.%20168%20Catalog%20Image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="544" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj4uQHJ3UjOxgZ34qycXPTDOW_30NcOVM922SlcowguiqSE8Ri4e2nqOQqOH61QeLIcIKk3wrD0wy9XKTq-Mo-cYZy2CSt0mZRG_GNpZwxebi0mEXj2biixI0_x-vShOMBE7JOIcLo7LbzyzXhQnsf9vHgYKDm6kNRP33t750YYA7O40Q-il_SQje/w400-h240/No.%20168%20Catalog%20Image.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Catalog image of Sears No. 168 from 1911 "Modern Homes" catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Sometimes the process of tracking down these houses can be arduous and in the worst case scenario, lead you to a location where a Sears house once stood. But fortune was with me on this journey and with help from Ancestry.com, I found myself on Borden Place street in Little Silver and with a quick "drive" down the street, I found the No. 168. </p><p>While tracking down the house through Ancestry, I learned a bit about Leslie Hill Borden. In 1914, he married Helen - he was 22 and she was 19. Based on when the testimonial appeared in the catalog, they had the No. 168 built within a year or two of saying their wedding vows. Mr. Borden was employed as a clerk for an insurance company and in 1942, reported as working for the "Home Insurance Company" of New York. Mr. Hill died in 1961 and as best I can tell, continued to live in his Sears house until his death. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMKMzm37hst19uwxxHym4fjfS6nExJoGN14Sb-WUKYqlwRIskml6npKO19qJufAw5g1sjqNax3qp9L6b7VPZtiqWGdsEZRrGeD6SLJMKPGmtm5H5KeSHBDEqEUAeZbF7xbLyn7ZC5eGkTr32v2Gpo9L-MeDpzp9X4GqPBhRyZfUt6rYcQURbURNdi/s605/SideAngleNo.168.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="605" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMKMzm37hst19uwxxHym4fjfS6nExJoGN14Sb-WUKYqlwRIskml6npKO19qJufAw5g1sjqNax3qp9L6b7VPZtiqWGdsEZRrGeD6SLJMKPGmtm5H5KeSHBDEqEUAeZbF7xbLyn7ZC5eGkTr32v2Gpo9L-MeDpzp9X4GqPBhRyZfUt6rYcQURbURNdi/w400-h283/SideAngleNo.168.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Om8Qr30_dONcfdBenOKsCmfgKBpWWf1AbG390Vf_-4o9XSAXq6vEZYqkM5gpcQKzCs0RUoP0TfvPkC2KI1XgEqHk2UzMfntAFlPVN_CLC9F5pt4Nvdo6RcuTWfRXe77f5wtv1strVBmbkTuNz3OcbeEVazlg_5x85aHLeAkgs_10iCJOFaOAODoV/s494/FrontNo.168.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="494" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Om8Qr30_dONcfdBenOKsCmfgKBpWWf1AbG390Vf_-4o9XSAXq6vEZYqkM5gpcQKzCs0RUoP0TfvPkC2KI1XgEqHk2UzMfntAFlPVN_CLC9F5pt4Nvdo6RcuTWfRXe77f5wtv1strVBmbkTuNz3OcbeEVazlg_5x85aHLeAkgs_10iCJOFaOAODoV/w400-h326/FrontNo.168.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdE11m3TbaGMDSN9pJ-M7ZzFKA6u1TyC9604aMAtq3qEPfzKojhsz7-77c883yoxMnYmdVeJl5R8RnLccdCmP0KKX4NTZs7Kp9bvipzkyerN2YhIRLSFP2FQ8-l9Y8Qd0n-QF0G_AFrARLLeSzyz6Aqn9cC45Hq6fRcbnydW3BP1dz1cLf5Lq4otA/s734/SideNo.168.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="734" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdE11m3TbaGMDSN9pJ-M7ZzFKA6u1TyC9604aMAtq3qEPfzKojhsz7-77c883yoxMnYmdVeJl5R8RnLccdCmP0KKX4NTZs7Kp9bvipzkyerN2YhIRLSFP2FQ8-l9Y8Qd0n-QF0G_AFrARLLeSzyz6Aqn9cC45Hq6fRcbnydW3BP1dz1cLf5Lq4otA/w400-h306/SideNo.168.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />As you can see from the photos, the No. 168 at 30 Borden Place, Little Silver, New Jersey is a lovely home, well-maintained, and with all the distinctive architectural features that help identify this model. Considering this house is over 100 years old, it looks as nice as the day it was built. I would bet that the Bordens would be pleased with how their Sears house has stood the test of time. <br /><br /><b>All images courtesy of <a href="https://Archive.org">Archive.org</a>, Cindy Catanzaro and Judith Chabot.</b><br /><br /><p></p><br />Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-65259529355108535592022-09-01T21:49:00.013-07:002022-09-02T05:07:34.361-07:00Kit House Hunting - August 2022<p></p>The past couple years, I've been keeping my own list of the kit houses that I've located. This helps me see my progress in adding homes to the various national databases of kit homes. Some months, I'm fortunate and find a lot of homes. Other months, I only find a few. <div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRFIgckw6m7r_Z_cvYNn9IOdjHkD-VD83fTh3sDYTAXvAV6qoG9ZA1c9bV9_LfYl98c7ORr7wjR65mlSu2qD9XanK17SPB30QsTnFdqfaxli4vBBHN0zyRW6c-tN-vzp8ghCmkp8RxQEZww0xeMJFLt4wr0Uu1irI63rh6a73CkXg2-AaNepNMNnPx" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1280" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRFIgckw6m7r_Z_cvYNn9IOdjHkD-VD83fTh3sDYTAXvAV6qoG9ZA1c9bV9_LfYl98c7ORr7wjR65mlSu2qD9XanK17SPB30QsTnFdqfaxli4vBBHN0zyRW6c-tN-vzp8ghCmkp8RxQEZww0xeMJFLt4wr0Uu1irI63rh6a73CkXg2-AaNepNMNnPx=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears No. 181/"Whitehall"<br />Sioux Falls, South Dakota</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>August 2022 was the one of the former when I was fortunate enough to find over 75 houses. I thought this would be a good opportunity to share some examples of some houses I rarely see and to talk about some of the ways that I find houses. Let's take a look! </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>August 2022 by the Numbers</b></span></p><p>If you're a regular reader, you know that I like to crunch numbers. So let's start off by looking at some of the numbers for August 2022. </p><p><b>Total houses located: 77</b></p><p>This isn't the highest number of houses that I've found in a month but it was up there. Normally, the summer months tend to be on the low side when it comes to finding houses. I tend to be busy with other activities, leaving less free time to search. But this month, I dedicated quite a bit of time for looking for houses using a variety of different resources to find them. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkS99XF2PYioYSZhJpI9QCYqFDXl4JqdeaIXNmKYhs4fgDSuHx1HCOeBREm3sJ0a1M8t5FKJgcDMrlm19aoUCZkr5FwuiZ9C8liMiUJtpGrcmBMQFATd0pr3msi-igvrTkxS0LOytH1vrVKGA09BcyTwgcqLqRHEDj8kx0BAa-LhbvMR9JRSByOQXg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="783" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkS99XF2PYioYSZhJpI9QCYqFDXl4JqdeaIXNmKYhs4fgDSuHx1HCOeBREm3sJ0a1M8t5FKJgcDMrlm19aoUCZkr5FwuiZ9C8liMiUJtpGrcmBMQFATd0pr3msi-igvrTkxS0LOytH1vrVKGA09BcyTwgcqLqRHEDj8kx0BAa-LhbvMR9JRSByOQXg=w400-h284" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears "Betsy Ross"<br />293 Parkside Dr - Warwick, Rhode Island</b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p><b>Number of states: 15</b></p><p>This was a broad range of states as you can see by the map. It included houses in New England, the Midwest and continuing into the upper Midwest with a couple of solo entries from Kansas and Mississippi. The list included a number of states that I don't typically "visit" including Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJNyjGP1EeKySZ-sshEc_GIbA3NVOT3Bdo_L5ANE_d3dxfbOXctOAZnh9qPaIuJDkJjs9-Hmtc2oTFELY8uoOsxvjgSvmG2tVcierGZrvCTALg3itI-x_-ugSxqVUd87pEks2FXrVb-JeLy69MwgfTk7qhMNeXMdFVapxrfRHcWllwxlCBS5wz6aH1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="962" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJNyjGP1EeKySZ-sshEc_GIbA3NVOT3Bdo_L5ANE_d3dxfbOXctOAZnh9qPaIuJDkJjs9-Hmtc2oTFELY8uoOsxvjgSvmG2tVcierGZrvCTALg3itI-x_-ugSxqVUd87pEks2FXrVb-JeLy69MwgfTk7qhMNeXMdFVapxrfRHcWllwxlCBS5wz6aH1=w400-h201" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Top 3 states for houses:<br />- Indiana: 22<br />- New York: 10<br />- South Dakota: 9</b></p><p>One of the reasons that August 2022 was noteworthy for me is that this top three list doesn't include some of my favorite states for finding houses like Ohio and Pennsylvania. Instead, I had good luck finding houses in states where I don't typically look very often, like South Dakota, and finding quite a few houses in states like Indiana and New York. </p><p><b>Models by Kit House Company:</b><br /><b>- Sears: 66<br />- Aladdin: 9<br />- Wardway: 2</b></p><p>This mix of manufacturers is pretty typical for me. I know the Sears models the best and they typically make up the majority of the houses that I find from month to month. But August 2022 was a good month for finding Aladdin homes too! </p><p><b>Top 3 Sears models:<br />- Whitehall: 5<br />- Vallonia: 4<br />- No. 103/Lucerne: 3 (tied)<br />- Walton: 3 (tied)</b></p><p>It was a good month for the bottom of the alphabet! In addition to the models listed here, I found quite a few of the models from Sears that were primarily or exclusively named with a number in the "Modern Homes" catalog. Sears only started giving their house models names like "Avoca" or "Verona" starting with the 1918 "Modern Homes" catalog. Prior to that, houses were identified by a number, like the No. 112 or No. 187. </p><p>While I was familiar with some of these models, particularly the ones that continued to be offered from 1918 on, many of the others were unfamiliar to me. This past month, I was fortunate to see a lot of examples of these early models that were located by my fellow kit house researchers. That pushed me to spend some more time learning to identify these early models. It paid off as I actually located some of them myself! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDiVC1-N9pflgPASeIwiHm9WCYQAAeKRY5xPBMpNlQjxJVguKRAYVKOB1yAXkCiLZv5kVqHrriWNuOk9gtx5SIn6EDML0_K1MmjEecfhHwK30V9O2SHIYLWotdCH-39C_NULEm9tOgZbrcHjgbtiggu9h5jjxWR84YML7nMmieqh8d4nBrI8ZkcJWK" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1458" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDiVC1-N9pflgPASeIwiHm9WCYQAAeKRY5xPBMpNlQjxJVguKRAYVKOB1yAXkCiLZv5kVqHrriWNuOk9gtx5SIn6EDML0_K1MmjEecfhHwK30V9O2SHIYLWotdCH-39C_NULEm9tOgZbrcHjgbtiggu9h5jjxWR84YML7nMmieqh8d4nBrI8ZkcJWK=w400-h243" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears No. 225<br />1021 W Maple St - Kokomo, Indiana</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Revisiting Sioux Falls, South Dakota</span></b><p></p><p>One of the places where I was able to see and locate a number of early examples of Sears catalog houses was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Relatively speaking, South Dakota accounts for a small percentage of the total number of Sears houses in the national database of Sears homes with just over 40 Sears houses identified to date. But Sioux Falls is home to a relatively large number of models that were referenced in the "Modern Homes" catalogs as locations where examples of those models were built. </p><p>A few years ago, I spent some time virtually "driving" around Sioux Falls and had success finding some examples of early Sears models. But I hadn't been back to look again. This past month, the group of kit house researchers I work with spent some time focused on finding houses listed in the Rebecca Hunter book, "Putting Sears Homes on the Map". That effort led me back to Sioux Falls. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifTCvYJxlEOI8oztVhOXMD3E_v0wgCF5rA0LLo4WzDCmpIqv3BlI0BSxrR9EPukOII0xDtiTmmfwMSfUkri8i3mFMHHeaApVOFUX3pD6bM13EUw-8sDpemPPgudCX4IpcKiN41MiemlMkmDklK2_nB-VxPzUXmdr91iyhy2NfGDucX-tCEYCV3g7cx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="392" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifTCvYJxlEOI8oztVhOXMD3E_v0wgCF5rA0LLo4WzDCmpIqv3BlI0BSxrR9EPukOII0xDtiTmmfwMSfUkri8i3mFMHHeaApVOFUX3pD6bM13EUw-8sDpemPPgudCX4IpcKiN41MiemlMkmDklK2_nB-VxPzUXmdr91iyhy2NfGDucX-tCEYCV3g7cx=w348-h400" width="348" /></a></div><br />"Putting Sears Homes on the Map" represents Rebecca's effort to capture all the references made in the decades of "Modern Homes" catalogs to places where Sears houses were built. In some cases, the references are fairly generic, simply listing the city and state where a specific model was built. In other cases, it gets as specific as listing an owner's name and home address (which sometimes has changed over the years!) There are over 1,300 references in the book for houses in almost every state. <div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ44Hh8b56BN8hcec5gb4mNUs9YquqvvLFkYv86hRWA9BbEIo2QR-ScwQ3vflBrhgkMiwn2qXe1OF_qtnjr_3iDMejifPmSl6nPaduaA8Hl6AcnLRpHGLEB7rksXKRYVZzfh8t8OLKfJ26mBTzCifJTvr4AsaJfB6-mikp_TuMbYsfvem-0KOJzE5m" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="495" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ44Hh8b56BN8hcec5gb4mNUs9YquqvvLFkYv86hRWA9BbEIo2QR-ScwQ3vflBrhgkMiwn2qXe1OF_qtnjr_3iDMejifPmSl6nPaduaA8Hl6AcnLRpHGLEB7rksXKRYVZzfh8t8OLKfJ26mBTzCifJTvr4AsaJfB6-mikp_TuMbYsfvem-0KOJzE5m=w400-h390" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Testimonial from 1912 Sears Roebuck General Merchandise catalog</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Sioux Falls is listed for at least 10 different models, some of which are still waiting for be found. I had some success in finding some of the outstanding models on the list and in a future post, I'll share a more in depth look at my latest finds as part of a more comprehensive review of the Sears houses in Sioux Falls. </div><div><br /></div><div>In my most recent "visit", I was aided by a recent update to the Google Streetview. The Google car(s) had been through much of Sioux Falls in January of this year. In addition to giving me up-to-date views of the houses in Sioux Falls, it allowed me to view them in a landscape free of trees with leaves! Houses that I had previously missed on past "drive throughs" of Sioux Falls were now visible. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioKJDkXLbZw4utEK-oRq6dzVDlEuVBC2qOH7cG-VFKvRV74ltk-3QD1dZD5B9FhnW3CwtFoJQ3AbfUBaTaNXY59MbBuJLOtrfwzpbjX5La__BZ8BHSzNmZGseRPx2YWl9D_Vrf47-8g5zj5XImysrQiA3wZ_uBoYwde76qhx_lfGcQf17LFCQpMKn7" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="842" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioKJDkXLbZw4utEK-oRq6dzVDlEuVBC2qOH7cG-VFKvRV74ltk-3QD1dZD5B9FhnW3CwtFoJQ3AbfUBaTaNXY59MbBuJLOtrfwzpbjX5La__BZ8BHSzNmZGseRPx2YWl9D_Vrf47-8g5zj5XImysrQiA3wZ_uBoYwde76qhx_lfGcQf17LFCQpMKn7=w400-h269" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears "Elmwood"<br />1315 E 8th St - Sioux Falls, South Dakota</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />One model that I found in Sioux Falls that doesn't appear in "Putting Sears Homes on the Map" is this lovely example of the Sears "Lorain". While most of the houses found in Sioux Falls date back to the early years of the "Modern Homes" program, the Lorain first appeared in the the 1929 "Modern Homes" catalog. </div><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmADAxuHtmi0Zy5XekOP-mHJlzZhpsS8fQwKVYMIzUa1pPhOmQikqkj1zKyZMZHohdpExihFPzSCJgxSRyUniwzGeQl0Mc8aKBbuxH9oqf4pyeVEkyR6u5hASLQV4j1yhdr1ZXgyP3Ps6shAQiUuUI99PAqI5AxfwdtMf7kpABavnYKPcgqBzd-BHK" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="826" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmADAxuHtmi0Zy5XekOP-mHJlzZhpsS8fQwKVYMIzUa1pPhOmQikqkj1zKyZMZHohdpExihFPzSCJgxSRyUniwzGeQl0Mc8aKBbuxH9oqf4pyeVEkyR6u5hASLQV4j1yhdr1ZXgyP3Ps6shAQiUuUI99PAqI5AxfwdtMf7kpABavnYKPcgqBzd-BHK=w400-h305" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears "Lorain" <br />1505 S 5th Ave - Sioux Falls, South Dakota</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Midwest Discoveries</span></b></p><p>In addition to the houses that I found in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, I found some houses in a few other Midwestern states where I don't normally look. These included Iowa (3 houses), Kansas (1 house) and Nebraska (2 houses). Here's an example from each of those states. </p><p><br /></p><p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjIIzIsaFWRcaot7D9I86h0_jhTRawQv2xe2WBUZcMI-KP_zYm3Ca4cfdEI_H8t_Z5oz5x1JEQPW2OStXWuQAjP50hJBFCet49jaAezqURNRNC5S24pkk7SqN6Vxvfa10tP3ckW19W2mCRwTbyiLwJjHIppttLXEoWk-2Q6D5zwzgoXvwzb1Ti0Kqq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjIIzIsaFWRcaot7D9I86h0_jhTRawQv2xe2WBUZcMI-KP_zYm3Ca4cfdEI_H8t_Z5oz5x1JEQPW2OStXWuQAjP50hJBFCet49jaAezqURNRNC5S24pkk7SqN6Vxvfa10tP3ckW19W2mCRwTbyiLwJjHIppttLXEoWk-2Q6D5zwzgoXvwzb1Ti0Kqq=w400-h261" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears No. 144<br />312 E Iowa Ave - George, Iowa</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg78NZ3QeW3z2PxlFk2Im_pkN9wfkVxh1deKpvsJo252DszkL2S4hUnKreZ9eaVI7vt6shLSBWhn7jaLv5dMkiC02NPHoKEIxJ1EmVjK2kXqgZu-hPAIJoSTkS0U2TK6vi-OQLV_IeEMNvb9Q4Bt6ejy7LMnUoiyz-mPA9TUwDiYb4PCvzSj8qRV7lA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="908" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg78NZ3QeW3z2PxlFk2Im_pkN9wfkVxh1deKpvsJo252DszkL2S4hUnKreZ9eaVI7vt6shLSBWhn7jaLv5dMkiC02NPHoKEIxJ1EmVjK2kXqgZu-hPAIJoSTkS0U2TK6vi-OQLV_IeEMNvb9Q4Bt6ejy7LMnUoiyz-mPA9TUwDiYb4PCvzSj8qRV7lA=w400-h254" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Catalog image of Sears No. 144</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBqsj9csUUs9iJKz-JcQLKq35ttax-1wWb74h_fpnpT6q44LOkBDbQjMffTrF5Kl6BkhldIku3bN1rQ5VIcIuntPE8StNCXW9FniGXvUoyaJ3e_KSmFabyCESEncmy_qFUik6nLaKC2QhYJ_mEK_-LOXlHqaX8OoepDfAG0F1Vg-_RU7JcD0vF5ehv" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="997" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBqsj9csUUs9iJKz-JcQLKq35ttax-1wWb74h_fpnpT6q44LOkBDbQjMffTrF5Kl6BkhldIku3bN1rQ5VIcIuntPE8StNCXW9FniGXvUoyaJ3e_KSmFabyCESEncmy_qFUik6nLaKC2QhYJ_mEK_-LOXlHqaX8OoepDfAG0F1Vg-_RU7JcD0vF5ehv=w400-h329" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears "Altona"<br />201 Maple St - Minneola, Kansas<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl_tJeYiLhDt1reMOttZytFygQ1wOtpKaec9Lc7nRS_iCJDK1dt3tR03wGJS8nse1skEuYdHYjCtLYkWoJeEstVouvI01O2s5uutZ_3ax0N65qyRiVV4AWJXGeTL-f5q0XWi9UAxdIEJN1hcbayKARykhjrQbmMx9nTvYXODYCrBs-3wvI_3TsLrQP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="905" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl_tJeYiLhDt1reMOttZytFygQ1wOtpKaec9Lc7nRS_iCJDK1dt3tR03wGJS8nse1skEuYdHYjCtLYkWoJeEstVouvI01O2s5uutZ_3ax0N65qyRiVV4AWJXGeTL-f5q0XWi9UAxdIEJN1hcbayKARykhjrQbmMx9nTvYXODYCrBs-3wvI_3TsLrQP=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></div>Catalog image of Sears No. 121 ("Altona")<br /><br /></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwCX3e6AnEFpnzCsoz6OD5BYQ96fsc1zgAKtycTHbN-46P6P5hVOb4_M-dTG6op96gDKPrL_OmUpJ0MbuAU1Ab9s8Q3SqAFRMSMB043031z_lQsOp5LX2OcgqOz7eUv9eScEzHmj3lS87_0-yT8-RwcAvtNxB3vtZ9tNJVeRIIouLNGLl3BzJLHfEb" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwCX3e6AnEFpnzCsoz6OD5BYQ96fsc1zgAKtycTHbN-46P6P5hVOb4_M-dTG6op96gDKPrL_OmUpJ0MbuAU1Ab9s8Q3SqAFRMSMB043031z_lQsOp5LX2OcgqOz7eUv9eScEzHmj3lS87_0-yT8-RwcAvtNxB3vtZ9tNJVeRIIouLNGLl3BzJLHfEb=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears "Westly"<br />321 Logan St - Wayne, Nebraska<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkp_2PVdK2XOmWqadBFOH7ki_uLWxPCPXFKEgkYfjq9I-Zh0YhFqaEC2HjOFwxGaTLi9UJer0J94etDhXgRvsRrLJ7arbeeGEha8FQeTyRdHIWjajEyImn5a9d_KzfDzc5CbLZ-GW-dMnJIj7VjuGVyfxX9knSk0K9eIHjQfwuQ03SIujKBo6Ew7vC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1204" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkp_2PVdK2XOmWqadBFOH7ki_uLWxPCPXFKEgkYfjq9I-Zh0YhFqaEC2HjOFwxGaTLi9UJer0J94etDhXgRvsRrLJ7arbeeGEha8FQeTyRdHIWjajEyImn5a9d_KzfDzc5CbLZ-GW-dMnJIj7VjuGVyfxX9knSk0K9eIHjQfwuQ03SIujKBo6Ew7vC=w400-h269" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Catalog image of Sears "Westly"<br /><br /></b></td></tr></tbody></table>Thanks for joining me on this review of some of the houses that I found this past month. I couldn't show off all 77 but I'll be featuring some more of the unique examples in future posts. See you then! <p></p><p></p></div></div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-7332058174220491232022-08-25T06:46:00.004-07:002022-09-01T14:34:55.418-07:00The Sears Houses of Markbreit Avenue<p>Recently, I was able to help one of my fellow kit house researchers, Cindy Catanzaro, who runs the "<a href="https://searshousesinohio.wordpress.com/">Sears Houses in Ohio</a>" site, discover and identify some very early examples of Sears "Modern Homes" in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cindy did a nice write-up about what we found and how we found them. It's yet another example of how the "<a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-great-sears-paper-trail.html">Great Sears Paper Trail</a>" can lead us to Sears houses. In this case, the paper trail wasn't from mortgages or deeds, as I've written about in the past. This time, Cindy was able to use newspaper posts that referenced Sears Roebuck as the architect on the house plans for the houses we located. Cindy and I were then able to match up the houses to examples from the early years of the "Modern Homes" catalog. But go read the post "<a href="https://searshousesinohio.wordpress.com/2022/08/24/on-the-south-side-of-markbreit-ave-cincinnati/">On the south side of Markbreit Ave. (Cincinnati)</a>" for the rest of the story!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxlPuf46KqWf-xDVagbBcrVapgm6Q84dtdW6Nokww6P5MmLSYHmkXDRpa6KgeBGTPPfJV9UpvPLw2cpcTVgEoCrX7xVjJV7bxuSWJUfrTrofB2_LOZ6cOBEu6qlrUxbqwdQxvS4HMtVcPn-9rLDAc-yeIQ986ZVOAKuq37nBXiTDZK_IEGCzMOxLK7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1938" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxlPuf46KqWf-xDVagbBcrVapgm6Q84dtdW6Nokww6P5MmLSYHmkXDRpa6KgeBGTPPfJV9UpvPLw2cpcTVgEoCrX7xVjJV7bxuSWJUfrTrofB2_LOZ6cOBEu6qlrUxbqwdQxvS4HMtVcPn-9rLDAc-yeIQ986ZVOAKuq37nBXiTDZK_IEGCzMOxLK7=w400-h159" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Houses on Markbreit Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio<br />Photo shall not be reproduced without permission</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-87958589589498089442022-07-13T22:42:00.011-07:002022-07-14T07:26:48.897-07:00Where are the Sears Houses - July 2022 Edition<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrjjoarhiTf8FF0Wg4QGkQdGpyfMU886WgiW8-KwQX-yai51_KY92X33DthpNl-PnyMktwFF-rxMnyxaL4zyKU-Mv3DE2iqoY_rqAHWNIVBXnEmh4HxHxbrHQ3fHf80LwbiuBhiiz-UIURbhzn-ApiQBZZbjObnEnpi4E5k0HAIz8oxldEXUVnbvX9" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrjjoarhiTf8FF0Wg4QGkQdGpyfMU886WgiW8-KwQX-yai51_KY92X33DthpNl-PnyMktwFF-rxMnyxaL4zyKU-Mv3DE2iqoY_rqAHWNIVBXnEmh4HxHxbrHQ3fHf80LwbiuBhiiz-UIURbhzn-ApiQBZZbjObnEnpi4E5k0HAIz8oxldEXUVnbvX9=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sears Mitchell - Bedford, Ohio</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We're halfway through 2022 and thanks to a lot of hard work by kit house researchers across the US, the National Database of Sears Homes has passed 14,500 documented homes. We picked up the pace of locating houses since the last update, adding 500 new homes in less than 7 months (as compared to 9 months at the previous update). With that mark reached, it's time to post another update of "Where are the Sears Houses?"<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Once again, research in mortgages and deeds accounted for a healthy percentage of the new homes added to the list. In addition to the new houses added to the list, that research allowed previously documented houses to be noted as authenticated. There's now over 6,000 authenticated houses which represents the largest list of authenticated Sears houses available. It's the product of a tremendous amount of work by a number of dedicated kit house researchers. </p><p>Here is the breakdown of location of houses by state based on approximately 14,500 homes in the database. </p><p>As of the date we passed 14,500 houses, Sears houses have been located in 47 states, the District of Columbia and the Provinces of Alberta and Ontario, Canada. </p><p>The following is a breakdown of the states that have the largest number of identified Sears homes.</p><p>1. Ohio (3100+ homes): Ohio blew right past the 3,000 mark, adding over 100 new homes since the last update. Ohio alone accounts for over 21% of the houses on the list.</p><p>2. Illinois (2400+ homes): Illinois fell just shy of 2,500 by one house! This time, I can guarantee it will pass that mark by the next update. </p><p>3. Pennsylvania (2000+ homes): Pennsylvania is closing in on 2,100 homes as it maintains third place on the list. </p><p>4. New York (1700+ homes): New York continues to hold down fourth place as it gets closer to 1,750 homes. </p><p>5. Michigan (1000+ homes): Michigan enjoyed a big jump since the last update and is poised to hit the 1,100 mark by the next update. </p><p>6. Indiana (700+): Indiana is getting close to passing the 800 home mark. </p><p>7. New Jersey (600+): I thought New Jersey might reach the 700 home mark this update. It didn't but I'm confident it will by the next one. </p><p>8. Maryland (350+): Maryland's added a handful of homes as it slowly climbs towards 400 homes. </p><p>9. Virginia (300+): Virginia saw one of the biggest increases, adding over 70 new homes and leapfrogging past Washington DC to move into 9th place on the list. Many of those new homes were thanks to the hard work that <a href="https://www.searshouseseeker.com/">Judith Chabot</a> did on mortgage research in the Arlington area</p><p>10. Washington DC (304): No change in Washington DC's totals for this update. </p><p>11. Kentucky (250+): Kentucky added enough homes to move past the 250 homes mark.</p><p>12. Wisconsin (200+): Wisconsin is closing in on 250 homes while it maintains twelfth place position on the list. </p><p>13. Connecticut (150+): Connecticut only added a handful of homes but enough to move it past the 150 homes mark. </p><p>14. Massachusetts (100+): Massachusetts added several new homes since the last update. </p><p>15. Missouri (100+): Missouri added a few homes and continued to stay in fifteenth place. </p><p>Currently, there are 15 states where at least 100 Sears houses have been located within the state. The top 10 states account for 90% of the total number of houses on the list. Although not one of the top states in the list, North Carolina added 10 new homes taking it over 60 homes documented so far. That was the biggest increase among the states that have fewer documented homes. </p><p>The national database of Sears Modern Homes is the collective work of a number of kit house researchers located across the country. The sources of the information in the database include the personal work of those researchers, the work of other kit house researchers, publicly available resources including newspapers and websites and information provided by home owners and other members of the public with an interest in kit houses.</p>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725743381494749667.post-75403470769586895732022-03-29T20:33:00.009-07:002022-03-29T22:45:27.659-07:00Why You Should Be Authenticating Sears Roebuck Houses with Mortgages and Deeds<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgXeIFfcXMrbTHPdkhV2G-mw3U6BrAHFhSyE_xHr8L-jkyUIzAV-3oVBqinlPesJhgOSb0H1RVUinGgsWIRc293okROLGB6gnpVWArkvdB3dPsygK1Nh9OBrwYCwDlv90pthS-nbGk_mAZJhjasOhUg9Ng705vZSvtOqdwuDSA7lGaJqxHH5OzfYXN" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="440" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgXeIFfcXMrbTHPdkhV2G-mw3U6BrAHFhSyE_xHr8L-jkyUIzAV-3oVBqinlPesJhgOSb0H1RVUinGgsWIRc293okROLGB6gnpVWArkvdB3dPsygK1Nh9OBrwYCwDlv90pthS-nbGk_mAZJhjasOhUg9Ng705vZSvtOqdwuDSA7lGaJqxHH5OzfYXN=w200-h143" width="200" /></a></div>Regular readers know that I've spent a lot of time locating, documenting and authenticating houses from Sears Roebuck (and <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2020/05/mcclure-homes-timeline.html">McClure</a> and Montgomery Ward) using mortgages and deeds. To date, I've documented over 4,000 Sears Roebuck homes for the National Database of Sears Homes and a significant percentage of those were located by researching mortgage records. It's a method frequently used by myself and my fellow contributors to the National Database of Sears Homes and it's a big reason why we've been able to locate and authenticate so many homes. Because it's such an important part of the work that I do, I want to explain why I consider it the gold standard for authenticating houses from Sears Roebuck. <p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>First, I want to make clear that I can't take credit for the idea of locating and authenticating Sears houses this way. Several of those involved in the field of researching Sears Roebuck homes, like Rebecca Hunter and Dale Wolicki, were finding homes this way long before I had ever heard of Sears houses. But where they often had to visit a County Register of Deeds office to wade through old bound books of mortgages record and/or spend hours looking at microfilm (<a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2015/11/sears-mortgages-of-oakland-county.html">I've done that too</a>!), much of the mortgage research done today is accomplished at all hours of the day and night using a web browser and databases of online digitized mortgage indexes and records. While it still takes a lot of time to go through those records and match them up to properties and houses, at least it can be done from the comfort of one's homes with your favorite beverage at your side. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrlfVoqy0x3JQgsUwlwyVSl9eoX3UaPNlw3k8K09RaeMzvZ_7NOdessTDYstj-ZgXosgezCFbryp60Yggn4ec5yXHgaUkPMiofkIG6SEoOG418iVwAcRyi81PEuEi2Rbnu4FPnrrtjJlkX5vtRg8mUBSC4quRxklueGEI98lW76g1_XeFpqyfdfjUD" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="945" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrlfVoqy0x3JQgsUwlwyVSl9eoX3UaPNlw3k8K09RaeMzvZ_7NOdessTDYstj-ZgXosgezCFbryp60Yggn4ec5yXHgaUkPMiofkIG6SEoOG418iVwAcRyi81PEuEi2Rbnu4FPnrrtjJlkX5vtRg8mUBSC4quRxklueGEI98lW76g1_XeFpqyfdfjUD=w400-h191" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><b>Index of mortgages in Washington DC with Sears Trustee F. C. Schaub</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I know that finding Sears houses this way isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's often tedious work and some people prefer the joy of finding houses "in the wild". But all the serious researchers that I know have considered it one of the few ways to definitively authenticate a Sears house, especially in the absence of any official sales records from Sears Roebuck (which were disposed of at some point in time). So I was a bit surprised to learn that there are some in the field who don't consider mortgage and deed records as "proof positive" of the authenticity of a house. From some of the comments I've read, I can only assume that those who question this approach have never done any mortgage research connected to Sears houses. Perhaps this viewpoint is based on some misconception or misunderstanding about what a mortgage record does or does not include. So to clear up any confusion over that, I thought it would be helpful to explain what those records represent and why we consider them a "proof positive" method to authenticate Sears houses. <p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">An Overview of Sears Mortgages</span></h4><p>Let's start with a quick history about the financing of Sears houses and how that became such an important part of the sales of "Modern Homes" by Sears. Sears first started selling their "Modern Homes" in 1908 and within 3 years (1911) Sears started financing the purchase of their homes. While houses were likely some of the most expensive items financed by Sears, they were just one example of a broader push by Sears to extend credit to its customers generally. While financing for homes was scaled back after a few years, it picked up again in the 1920s and was one of the principle drivers of sales of "Modern Homes" until mounting losses from mortgage defaults led Sears to stop financing homes at the end of 1933. While Sears continued to sell homes into the first half of 1942, the years when Sears sold the most homes also coincided with the years when Sears was financing the purchase of its homes by its customers. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj94OVMSyifRcLazqgXIqw6a5_vJcLPtjOI3QDOslI0RF6E06lAXEpp2qv9CLyeW8RKu67_QX8NaQpAPsa-xPIFDSoTktGZEHQAFAy6QiltkUCGcYmnp7E2TYm1snpotSylPYsDlqL7wv1Q40AmBGUlnvpqL7mDRmv9kBVAtwtdZgwFKnf1htoyU7k8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="1273" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj94OVMSyifRcLazqgXIqw6a5_vJcLPtjOI3QDOslI0RF6E06lAXEpp2qv9CLyeW8RKu67_QX8NaQpAPsa-xPIFDSoTktGZEHQAFAy6QiltkUCGcYmnp7E2TYm1snpotSylPYsDlqL7wv1Q40AmBGUlnvpqL7mDRmv9kBVAtwtdZgwFKnf1htoyU7k8=w400-h63" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>We know that Sears financed tens of thousands of homes and every one of those homes had a mortgage associated with it (I refer to this as part of the "<a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-great-sears-paper-trail.html">Great Sears Paper Trail</a>"). The financing of ones house through Sears wasn't much different than someone financing the construction of a new home today, except more often that not, you were the one building the home! You needed to own a piece of property where you were going to build your house which served as your collateral to secure the loan. Once you were able to show your ownership of that property and provide a down payment, Sears would issue a mortgage under <a href="http://kithousehunters.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-geography-of-sears-mortgages.html">the name of one of their trustees</a> for a percentage of the value of the plans and materials that they were selling to you and in some cases, the cost of the labor to construct the house. With the funds provided by Sears, you would purchase from Sears the plans and materials for your future home and be on your way to building and owning a new home (or paying someone to build it for you). </p><p>The percentage of the total amount that Sears financed varied over the years as did the length of the loans. In the later years that Sears was offering mortgages, Sears extended the terms of their loans to 15 years and started using junior and senior mortgages against properties to keep monthly payments affordable as the American economy declined in the late 1920s and early 1930s. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuqPNXGHJx20m5r8lvuWPG1zcxdR-AE6jY8Lqgm5eDl7VjuR8vMYxNcTmystUpNgg6buaORQM5rbicDmtSRXKE2qxSRegvt5kXtiwnFZ_H1bs63C1NADC1XPH-QcE-6Vlz00zg6_RALD9e3d9BHpeVdojT4kaIv0yrRN1Dq9jNv59zsdGbPYdZuZ1N" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="1293" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuqPNXGHJx20m5r8lvuWPG1zcxdR-AE6jY8Lqgm5eDl7VjuR8vMYxNcTmystUpNgg6buaORQM5rbicDmtSRXKE2qxSRegvt5kXtiwnFZ_H1bs63C1NADC1XPH-QcE-6Vlz00zg6_RALD9e3d9BHpeVdojT4kaIv0yrRN1Dq9jNv59zsdGbPYdZuZ1N=w307-h400" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br />Cover of 1930 "Modern Homes" catalog highlighting 15 year mortgages</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In the mortgage documents, Sears made clear the intent of the loan - the customer was expected to build a house of a certain value in a defined period of time. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi19zHHRlM_1TSeH8QpMDcxRR12c2SwHEESO07KZ3n8TeoAyBegjfo1cdI7w94tbchPW_uzMMqVK3EjuyjnwfqfFpd9VwSA6l0xX5_GJj7mhp4YiVJ-sCkeubv2xWOAIhZxSvcqFGxGjbU90U7q2KSh9Tv-VSI4FoO2s9GZZeiB1XpbEM6F4MDfAzkY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="724" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi19zHHRlM_1TSeH8QpMDcxRR12c2SwHEESO07KZ3n8TeoAyBegjfo1cdI7w94tbchPW_uzMMqVK3EjuyjnwfqfFpd9VwSA6l0xX5_GJj7mhp4YiVJ-sCkeubv2xWOAIhZxSvcqFGxGjbU90U7q2KSh9Tv-VSI4FoO2s9GZZeiB1XpbEM6F4MDfAzkY=w400-h78" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><b>Excerpt from 1922 Sears mortgage filed in Washington DC</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So long as the customer kept up on their payments, all was good. If they didn't, Sears had the legal authority to foreclose on the house and property, an action that Sears would take in the good years and bad.</p><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">How Sears Mortgages Lead the Way to Sears Houses</span></h4><div><p>If you've ever taken out a mortgage to purchase a home, you know that a mortgage is tied to a specific piece of property. The lending institution doesn't just lend you money to purchase any old piece of property you want. Instead, the mortgage and the value of it, is tied to a specific property and generally the house and any other structures on the property. From those long ago Sears Roebuck mortgage documents, we're able to get property descriptions that, for the most part, we're able to track back to the current day location of the property. </p><p></p><p>Depending on the locality, when the mortgage was paid off, Sears would also issue a deed for the property, indicating that the mortgage had been paid off and that Sears no longer held an interest in the property. This can be helpful in communities where records of deeds are available but mortgages are not. Deeds were also issued to property owners who purchased a foreclosed property from Sears. So if you can't get your hands on mortgages, see if deeds from Sears Roebuck are available as they'll generally have the same property description that appeared on the original mortgage. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGqth5x7lzRYs9ha3NEeBjvoBb3OZ1YTl4KlnsNlLStOWh9PpSUXlixTXITf1hiqyLGssfLv_L2e6Kc_caeB8gNmaTY54IEm-HzvtmydNf4Aba4z7-1IpUA5FUiGC1flLDZZ8HXzwD9o6T-85L9qSlyNHunALOaIbsKFmeKB-rS3AO-miqu38wDxdv" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="750" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGqth5x7lzRYs9ha3NEeBjvoBb3OZ1YTl4KlnsNlLStOWh9PpSUXlixTXITf1hiqyLGssfLv_L2e6Kc_caeB8gNmaTY54IEm-HzvtmydNf4Aba4z7-1IpUA5FUiGC1flLDZZ8HXzwD9o6T-85L9qSlyNHunALOaIbsKFmeKB-rS3AO-miqu38wDxdv=w400-h246" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><b>Sears Crescent authenticated by Sears mortgage in Takoma Park, Maryland</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Whether your starting point is a mortgage or a deed, sometimes the process of tracking down that property is easy, like in places where the same subdivision names and lot numbers are still used and those subdivision plats are documented. Not so easy are places where those original property descriptions are no longer used or relied on measurements like "starting at the oak tree 5 chains east of the Bladensburg Turnpike". But we persevere and in many, many cases, have been able to find our way back to the properties where Sears financed a house.</p><p>When we get there and if the original house is still standing, 98 percent of the time (my best guess), we find a house that we can identify as a model sold by Sears. Through the passing of time, many of those houses have been altered in one way or another. But it's rare that we can't figure out which model house it started out as when purchased from Sears (and we've seen more than our share of homes that have been supersized or altered almost to the point of losing any connection to the original design). Of the remaining 2 percent, the house represents a design that never appeared in the "Modern Homes" catalog. In that case, the house likely represents a custom design requested by the customer that Sears provided the plans and materials to construct. In very rare cases, we see a house based on a plan book design or a house design offered by another kit house company that Sears "borrowed" and provided the plans and material to construct. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Why Sears Mortgages and Deed are the Gold Standard for Authenticating Sears Houses</span></h4><p>Once we've connected the house to the property that has the mortgage or deed, in our view, there's no need to do any additional hoop jumping to consider the house authenticated (where the house matches a design from the "Modern Homes" catalog). The provenance of the home has been established through the existence of the original mortgage or deed for the home through Sears Roebuck. Sears Roebuck mortgage/deed plus house design from the Sears catalog is "proof positive" that you've found an authenticated Sears house. With custom houses, we generally like to find additional details, like Sears door hardware, that can help us confirm the Sears origin of the house (if there are questions about the date of construction, for example). This is why I consider mortgages and deeds the gold standard for authenticating houses. No other method will allow you to accurately and consistently authenticate houses from Sears Roebuck with the certainty that a mortgage/deed record provides. </p><p>Houses that don't have a mortgage or deed can also be authenticated but those require a deeper dive to find either a definitive piece of evidence, like marked lumber or Sears blueprints, where those exist, or a preponderance of evidence indicating that a house is from Sears. For example, if my house did not have a mortgage from Sears (it did), the fact that the house design matches the design of the "Hamilton" model inside and out, has Sears door hardware throughout the house and a fireplace design that appears in the "Modern Homes" catalog, would be sufficient for most researchers to authenticate it as a Sears Roebuck house. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Proof is in the Pudding</span></h4><p>In my view, if your community has mortgage records from the years that Sears was offering financing that are publicly available, your starting point for any serious research should begin with a review of those records. In my experience and that of my fellow kit house researchers, researching mortgages has been the most productive method of locating and authenticating Sears houses. It's not unusual to be able to authenticate 80 - 90 percent of identified Sears houses in a community using mortgage and deed records. After you've identified those properties and any houses on them, it then makes sense to move on to other methods to locate and/or authenticate Sears houses. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixECpdW-YbDCOtRnX3LlQJHKfG8zkDhpvidfMm0sp4aK3wnDHzSihbvLmB2Bi3PbNAWNrw3qOGj3JqZsNaPakdIEQoWTwZsZQzF19Oq3rYNzWxOeEVbPIx0p4eLpGRiFiMq9vg-eVUOU06rhuuKz3j67L_K0iRnfEFXLVg_nnNpGYytx-xnYdb1PH-" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="707" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixECpdW-YbDCOtRnX3LlQJHKfG8zkDhpvidfMm0sp4aK3wnDHzSihbvLmB2Bi3PbNAWNrw3qOGj3JqZsNaPakdIEQoWTwZsZQzF19Oq3rYNzWxOeEVbPIx0p4eLpGRiFiMq9vg-eVUOU06rhuuKz3j67L_K0iRnfEFXLVg_nnNpGYytx-xnYdb1PH-=w400-h306" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><b>Sears Vallonia authenticated by Sears mortgage in Alexandria, Virginia</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The success of this approach has been demonstrated time and again in communities throughout the areas of the United States where Sears offered financing for the houses. Most recently, my fellow kit house researcher Judith Chabot <a href="https://www.searshouseseeker.com/2022/03/sears-houses-in-arlington-virginia.html">authenticated 125 Sears houses</a> in the city of Alexandria and Arlington County, Virginia (as well as another 15 houses from McClure and 1 from Montgomery Ward) using mortgage records. While a number of these homes were already listed in the National Database of Sears Houses, very few of them had been authenticated. Thanks to Judith's months of research, we've now been able to authenticate almost 80 percent of the Sears houses documented in the two communities. For those that remain, other methods of authenticating the houses can be pursued. But for the 125 - even those that have been significantly modified through large additions and modernization - we know that they started out as houses from Sears Roebuck and can be accurately identified as such. What other approach can give us that level of certainty? <p></p><p>While the use of mortgage and deed records, where they are available, will help us locate and authenticate many of the Sears houses that were built, it's not the end-all-to-be-all. In some communities, mortgage and deed records for this era are simply unavailable or not easily accessible. We also know that not every Sears house was financed through Sears. That's especially true in the early years and after 1933, when Sears stopped financing homes. But for those willing to put the time and effort into the mortgage research, I think you'll find the effort will pay off when you're able to authenticate homes that have already been documented and find "new" homes that had not been previously found. Sears has left behind a paper trail to find many of their homes. Now you just have to follow it! </p><p><br /></p><p></p></div></div>Kit House Huntershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02724539014570751839noreply@blogger.com0