In early 2009, The History Press contacted me and asked me to write a book on the Sears Homes of Illinois. Interestingly enough, the title was to be The Sears Homes of Illinois.
In early February 2010, I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia and went to northern Illinois where I met up with Rebecca Hunter in Elgin. For three whole days, kind and gracious Rebecca drove me throughout the northern Illinois suburbs, helping me photograph these amazing Sears Homes. Here are some of the houses from that trip (see pictures below).
To learn more about Rebecca, click here. Thanks to Dr. Rebecca Hunter, 213 Sears homes have been identified in Elgin. To learn more about the largest known collection of Sears homes in the country, visit the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, and check out The Elgin Illinois Sears House Research Project (by Rebecca Hunter). This book is also available for interlibrary loan within the state of Illinois. You can also visit Dr. Hunter’s website at www.kithouse.org.
To buy Rose’s book, click here.
To read more about the Sears Homes in the Midwest, click here.
A "bungalow from the Golden West" the Osborn was another very popular house. This picture from the 1919 Sears Modern Homes catalog also shows interior views of The Osborn.
Sears Osborn in St. Charles, Illinois
The Sears Newcastle was a Colonial Revival and a popular design
Sears Newcastle in Geneva, Illinois
Sears Matoka, another popular Sears Homes
Sears Matoka in St. Charles
Sears Fullerton
Sears Fullerton in Aurora, Illinois
Sears Fullerton in Elgin, Illinois
Sears Del Rey
Sears Del Rey in Wheaton, Illinois
Sears Marina, Model #2024
Sears Marina (2024) in Geneva, Illinois
The Sears Hamilton was a modest, but a big seller for Sears.
Sears Hamilton in Elgin, IL
Perhaps one of their top ten most popular designs, the Sears Crescent was offered in two floor plans, with an expandable attic option in both plans.
Significantly remodeled Crescent in Elmhurst, IL
The most notable feature on the Americus (shown here from the 1925 catalog) was the oversized front porch roof, unique front columns and the second floor front wall that juts out a little from the first.
Sears Americus in Glen Ellyn, Illinois
To buy Rose’s book, click here.
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I grew up in a Sears Hamilton Home located at 236 Parker Avenue in West Chicago, IL
My mom and dad built the house I think around 1924 or so.
I was born in 1936 and attended West Chicago Community High School.
Lots of memories from growing up
Wow some of those that have been kept up look great. My new furnace from sears cost as much as some of those houses when first sold.
Rebecca Hunter is a local catalog home expert and has a book. I am on the SW side of Elgin, Illinois and we have at least 25 Sears homes in my neighborhood.
Rebecca Hunter is an AMAZING resource and a dear friend. She has a book (available on Amazon) called, “Putting Sears Homes on the Map.” I highly recommend it! 🙂