In July 2010,  I ventured to Richmond to look for Sears Homes. I knew there were several in Colonial Heights and only three in Petersburg, but I’d never really scouted out Richmond – until this trip.

People often ask me how I find these houses. The answer: Lots of practice. Years ago, I specifically worked on memorizing hundreds of housing designs offered by Sears, Aladdin (another kit home company), Montgomery Ward, Gordon Van Tine and more. Now I can drive the streets and find the houses that match these early 20th Century designs. It’s a whole lot of fun.

Here were my best finds from our search in Richmond. All these houses were found within the city limits of Richmond, Virginia. If you know of any kit homes in Richmond, please send me the address.

BTW, if you like what you see, please email this link to a friend.

Read about The Sears Homes in Hampton Roads here.

Sears Strathmore, from the 1936 Sears Modern Homes catalog

Here's a Strathmore - in perfect condition - in Richmond

Catalog Image of Sears Modern Home #190

Sears Modern Home #190.

This is not a Sears Home, but a house sold by another kit home company, Harris Brothers.

Close-up of the Harris Brothers kit home J-181

And here it is, in living color. Nice match, too.

The Avalon from the 1921 catalog.

Sears Avalon in Richmond, in beautifully original condition

Sears Westly

Sears Westly on Fauquier Avenue in Richmond

To learn more about Sears Homes, click here.

To learn how to identify Sears Homes, click here.

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