Sears Catalog Homes in Villa Park, IL

Sears Homes

Sears home catalog

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Sears sold these “Modern Home” kits from 1908-1940. Everything you needed to build the house were assembled with instructions – including lumber, nails, flooring, roofing, bathroom fixtures, plumbing, etc. Shipped by railroad boxcar and then usually trucked to a home site, the average Sears Modern Home kit had 25 tons of materials, with over 30,000 parts. All you need to do was excavate the foundation.

Rebecca L. Hunter is a nationally recognized expert, author and researcher of these kit houses.

Sears sold these “Modern Home” kits from 1908-1940. Everything you needed to build the house were assembled with instructions – including lumber, nails, flooring, roofing, bathroom fixtures, plumbing, etc. Shipped by railroad boxcar and then usually trucked to a home site, the average Sears Modern Home kit had 25 tons of materials, with over 30,000 parts. All you need to do was excavate the foundation.

It is believed that Villa Park may have over 70 Sears house. However, only 11 have been authenticated and received an honorary “Sears Catalog Home” plaque by the VPHPC

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