The History of Sears Houses in America
The Sears kit homes or Sears houses, as they are commonly known, were a housing solution first offered by mail order company Sears, Roebuck and Company in 1908. The houses were constructed from pre-cut, pre-assembled and pre-finished materials that could be ordered through their mail order catalogue for delivery to your site. The houses were shipped in boxes on train cars that followed a circuit of existing tracks from the factory to the construction site. There, all the pieces needed for assembly were unpacked and quickly assembled into a house ready for finishing. These homes remained popular until the 1940s and can still be found throughout America today. Eugene T. Sawyer was an African American real estate broker who operated an office in Chicago and was looking for ways to help his clients achieve home ownership without having to pay cash up front. In 1908 he got in touch with William S. Lewis, vice president of Sears Roebuck & Co., to propose that they collaborate on a kit home program that would allow customers to purchase land (from Mr. Sawyer) and get financing (from Mr. Lewis) while paying just $650 down ($5200 today) on a new home—a savings of about 80% off the final value of the house after local builder costs (which included standard carpentry work).
Why Are There So Many Sears Houses Still Standing?
The short answer is: no one knows for sure, but there are a few guesses. The most popular reason is that the houses were built to last so they were constructed with better materials and better quality craftsmanship than most new homes. The houses were also built with a few design elements that are now recognized to be safer and/or better for the environment. One of these elements is called “sash-end bracing” in which the window frames have extra support at the ends of the sashes (the part of the window that opens and closes). This design allowed the windows to retain their structural integrity even if the glass broke (from storms, gunshots, etc.). It’s also been theorized that the houses were built on solid concrete foundations that did not settle over time. This could account for the fact that so many Sears houses have been in use for more than 100 years.
Image Source: Apartment Therapy
Image Source: WSJ Online
The Benefits of a Sears House
Customers could select from a variety of designs, many of which were unique in style. In addition, the kit homes were relatively affordable, especially compared to other new construction options. And, since the houses were prefabricated, they could be built much faster than site-built homes. Finally, Sears offered a 10-year guarantee on the kit components and workmanship.
Image Source: WSJ Online
The Downsides of a Sears House
While Sears houses were very popular, there was a shortage of carpenters to build the kits. As a result, the company was forced to extend their delivery and building timeline by several years. Some customers also complained about the quality of materials used for certain components. While these issues may sound like significant problems, it’s important to remember that the Sears kit homes were built in the early 1900s.
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How to Spot a Historic Sears Home
One of the easiest ways to identify a Sears house is to look for this symbol. The logo was a symbol of quality assurance from the Sears company and appeared on the boxes the kit home materials were shipped in. The “Sears Roebuck and Co.” logo with the “All-One-Price” wording in the bottom right corner can also be found on the plans for the house you are examining. It’s important to note, however, that not all Sears kit homes were marked with the boxed logo. It is common for these houses to be unmarked or have a stamp or stencil reading “Sears Roebuck,” “Sears,” or “All-One-Price.”
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Where to Find More Information About Sears Homes
If you’re interested in learning more about Sears houses and the communities they have built, we recommend you check out this publication: American Bungalow: Sears Houses and American Culture.
Image Source: Abe Books Online
While many people assume that Sears kit homes are not worth preserving because of their poor construction quality and/or lack of originality, we believe that these houses and the communities they’ve created are a significant part of America’s history and culture. These houses were a popular and affordable way for Americans to own their own homes for the first time in the early 1900s. And, due to their long-lasting design and construction, many Sears kit homes are still in use today—nearly 100 years after they were first introduced. That’s why we think it’s important to recognize and celebrate these historic buildings and their owners. After all, these Sears houses were built with the same kind of ingenuity, determination, and innovation that made America great!