While researching my Copper Mills World book,
Silver Dreams on a Tin Can Budget, I became infatuated with Sears Houses.
In 1908, Sears issued its
first specialty catalog for houses, Book of Modern Homes and Building
Plans, featuring 44 house styles ranging in price from US $360–$2,890, and that was the year the
first mail order for a Sears house was filled.
Precut and fitted lumber was
first offered by Sears in 1916. Prior to 1916, the prospective home builder had
to cut their Sears-supplied lumber to appropriate lengths. Using railway
boxcars and trucks, Sears delivered to a home site. Homes had approximately
25 tons of materials, with over 30,000 parts. Shipped by railroad boxcar
and truck, Sears delivered the material to a home site.
Compelling ad copy for sure.
The cost was 1437.00. For many people, it was
the first way they could afford to own their own home. The last Sears Catalogue
for homes was sold in 1940, but they continued to ship the kits until 1942.
During the time Sears offered the homes, there
were 370 different models available. In the early years, the models were
identified with numbers. After several years, Sears also began assigning names
to the various models, a convention that carried through to the end of the
program.
There are
several Sears Kit Homes in the older part of Boise, Idaho called the North End.
This home is only a couple of blocks from where I was raised.
And here are the original plans for this bungalow.
Silver Dreams...On A Tin Can Budget, featuring the
Sears House, is available on Amazon.
She's found her dream...
He's losing his.
Reed's family ranch
is about to be auctioned to the highest bidder. His only priority is coming up
with the money to buy it back. He has no time for a fun-loving blonde who makes
him laugh…even if she might be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
Tragedy taught Catie
to love life and reach for her dreams. Working with silver and gemstones calls
to her creative soul, and so does the quiet cowboy with a lot on his mind.
She's a small town girl with a big heart that wants to wrap his troubled one up
and take it on an adventure.
Join Reed and Catie
in this opposites attracts cowboy romance, as they discover whether love can
bridge the gap between their two worlds.
Visit Copper Mills,
Arizona - a small town with a heart as big as the wide-open spaces and a
history of making dreams come true.
Check out the other
Copper Mills Novellas on Amazon.
Hi, Stephanie. Loved this post. Can you imagine ordering a house kit? There is a row of three Sears cottages near our street. They've always intrigued me. They're charming sitting among the bigger houses on the street.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book! It looks like a winner.