Arnie’s s Pick
May 2016
The Houses That Sears Built
Rosemary Thornton, 2002
Early in the 20th century, Sears building materials manager, Frank Kushel, suggested that Sears assemble kits of all the parts needed for entire houses through mail order. Sears first specialty catalog, Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans, was published in 1908, offering 44 designs at costs from $360.00 to $2890.00.
From 1908 until 1940 Sears sold kit homes that were assembled from coast-to-coast and from Alaska to Florida, although the majority were built in the Midwest and on the east coast. Early kits required cutting lumber to required lengths, but after 1916 lumber was pre-cut to the exact required lengths. Kits shipped by railroad and then about 25 tons of materials were trucked to the building lot. Many were assembled by the prospective homeowners, often with the help of friends and neighbors like an old-fashioned barn raising.
Eventually, Sears offered almost 400 designs and allowed customers to alter dimensions and make design changes to existing designs. Home ownership was made easier by Sears mortgage loans, typically at 6% to 7% interest for fifteen years. Other companies, including Montgomery Ward and the Aladdin Company of Michigan, also offered kit homes in the early 20th century.
Author Rosemary Thornton is a Virginia native whose early employment was in real estate. She developed an interest in kit houses, Sears-provided in particular. Her first book, “The Reality of Real Estate,” was published in 1993 and “The Houses That Sears Built” is her second book, followed by “Finding the Houses that Sears Built.” Sears kit parts were produced in Illinois, Ohio, and Newark, New Jersey. Sales offices were nationwide, including Plainfield, New Jersey, so there are many Sears kit homes nearby.
Rosemary Thorton’s book is well written, nicely illustrated with photos, floor plans, Sears catalog pages, and early advertising. A fun read!