The Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful
An informal study of Sears houses yields some interesting finds. True, most of the homes have a "Craftsmen Bungalow" style, but there are more than a few outliers. Below, here are some of the strangest, most unique, and most interesting Sears homes. Some are beautiful, some are quirky, some are hideous. Everyone loves a good Side Show, so here they are: the Sears parade of wonders!
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The Aurora (top) and the Carlton. Both were in the 1918 catalog.
Both are also DIRECT rip-offs of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Homes. |
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The Bryant. Unusual modern appearance for a Sears house.
Only present in the 1938 and 1939 catalogs. |
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| The Ivanhoe, from 1912. A personal favorite--a craftsmen take on the center hall colonial. |
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The Del Ray from 1922. A strangely proportioned 2-bedroom bungalow.
For some reason, this was one of the most copied Sears houses. |
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| The Hollywood, from 1920. A very elaborate dormer for a house without a second floor. |
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| No. 126, from 1912. It's squat and just....odd. |
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| The Springwood, from 1921. Or as I like to call it....how to overcomplicate a Cape Cod. |
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| This Victorian monster only appeared in 1909. Lots of curves on this painted lady! |
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| The Normandy, from 1934. A split-level with a conical spire for an entrance. |
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| The San Jose from 1928. A five-room "Spanish" bungalow. I find that tower odd--it's nothing but wasted space! |
I enjoyed your Sears Home Parade. Want to clarify one thing. Sears Aurora and Sears Carlton were designed by noted Prairie School architect John Van Bergen.
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Lara also blogged about the Sears Normandy.
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Here's an example of a Sears #303
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And, the Sears Hollywood was a design that Sears acquired from Los Angeles Investment Co likely architect Ernest McConnell. Interesting story/find! https://oklahomahousesbymail.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/another-los-angeles-investment-company-house-with-ties-to-a-kit-home/