Today, we associate Sears with appliances, tools, and perhaps the occasional clothing item. But rewind to the 1910s, and you could order something far more substantial from their famous mail-order catalog: an entire house! Yes, you read that right – from 1908 to 1940, Sears, Roebuck and Company offered “Sears Modern Homes,” a revolutionary concept that allowed families to literally buy their dream home through the mail.
Your Dream Home, Delivered by Rail
Imagine flipping through a catalog, past the latest fashion and farming equipment, and landing on pages filled with beautiful architectural renderings. You weren’t just choosing a dress; you were selecting a charming bungalow, a stately Foursquare, or a cozy craftsman. Once your choice was made, Sears handled the rest.
The magic truly began with the logistics. Your chosen house, meticulously broken down into thousands of numbered parts, was loaded onto a railroad car – sometimes two! – and shipped directly to your nearest train station. This wasn’t just a few planks of wood; we’re talking about all the lumber, plaster, shingles, nails, windows, doors, flooring, and even the interior trim and paint. Every single component needed to build a complete house was included.
The Original DIY Project: Assembly Required!
Upon arrival, the colossal task of unloading and transporting the materials from the train station to the building site began. This often involved horse-drawn wagons and a lot of community effort. But the real adventure started with the assembly.
Each Sears Modern Home kit came with a remarkably detailed, 75-page instruction book. These weren’t IKEA instructions; they were comprehensive guides, often accompanied by blueprints and diagrams, empowering ordinary individuals (or more commonly, local carpenters hired by the homeowners) to construct a sturdy, well-built home. It was the ultimate DIY project, long before the term even existed!
Why Were Sears Homes So Popular?
Sears Modern Homes offered an unparalleled combination of affordability, quality, and convenience. For families in rural areas or those with limited access to traditional builders, these kits provided a practical solution to homeownership. They promised modern amenities, well-designed layouts, and the quality assurance associated with the Sears brand.
It’s estimated that over 70,000 Sears kit homes were sold across the United States during their three-decade run. Many of these homes still stand today, a testament to their durable construction and the ingenuity of their original builders. They are charming pieces of American history, hidden in plain sight, each with a unique story of being ordered from a catalog and arriving by train.
So, the next time you drive past a vintage-looking house with a certain classic charm, consider the possibility: could it be a “Sears Modern Home,” a proud survivor of an era when you could truly mail-order almost anything – even the roof over your head?
