20th Century Sears Prefabs Stand in Value
Sears Catalog Homes were one of the first successful forays into prefabricated, factory built housing. For over thirty years in the early 20th century, the company shipped mail-order construction components for architect-designed prefab homes by train to tens of thousands of families. It’s estimated that between 70,000 and 75,000 homes were sold. The houses were available in over 400 versions, many of which still stand today upholding the sustainable design principle of a long lifecycle of usefulness and value.
The homes were affordable, easy to assemble and functional. According to the New York Times article, the endurance is in their lasting appeal:
“what is especially notable about Sears houses, said Amy R. Pappas, co-curator of the New Castle Historical Society’s current exhibit on them, is how well they have withstood 80 years’ worth of shifts in architectural styles and tastes.”
Sears Catalog Homes weren’t necessarily innovative designs, but the kits did include cutting-edge technology and materials that improved safety and comfort. Modern conveniences like central heating, indoor plumbing, and electrical wiring were features included in the options for homeowners.
The big attraction for buyers was cost. The first specialty catalog for houses, Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans in 1908, featured 22 different styles ranging in price from $650–$2,500 ($12,200-$47,100 in 2003 dollars)(source). Mass production from a central lumber mill lowered costs of manufacturing, savings that were passed on to homebuyers.
More:
- The Whole Kit and Caboodle
- The Story on Sears: Houses by Rail and Mail
- Sears Modern Homes
- Yesterday’s Kit Houses Today’s Sought-After Properties
Via TreeHugger
