In 2004, I was invited to Cape Charles to give a talk on Sears Homes. Even though I was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia (about an hour away), I’d never seen this waterfront community on the Eastern Shore. During my time there, I stayed at the Cape Charles House Bed and Breakfast and the owners (Carol and Bruce) were so good and kind to me.
In fact, everyone in Cape Charles treated me like royalty. A girl can grow accustomed to that in a hurry!
The entire Eastern Shore is a gem, but Cape Charles is an especially well-polished jewel of a city.
And about those Sears Homes…
It was surprising to find so many kit homes in this little fishing village. And yet, we found several. And there was also an Aladdin kit home, too. Scroll on down for the virtual tour of kit homes in Eastern Shore. And if you know of any others in the area, drop me a note.
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As shown in the 1912 Sears Modern Homes catalog, this was an interesting house with that crazy oversized eave. In all the #126s I've seen, some additional support has been added to that porch roof. It's inevitable that it'll sag in time.
Floorplan for the 126 shows those chamfered corners on all four sides, as well as in the porch indent.
Here it is, in Cape Charles. Note the detail of the bracketing under the eaves. The front porch has been closed in, but this is definitely a #126.
Detail of eaves on #126
Sheffield as seen in the 1919 Aladdin catalog.
Here's an Aladdin Sheffield in Cape Charles, Virginia (on the Eastern Shore)
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This was one of Sears' biggest and nicest homes.
Right down the street from the Sheffield (see above) is the Sears Glenn Falls. Although it's partly obscured by the trees, you can see the familiar lines of the Glenn Falls.
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The Pheonix is one of Sears' most unusual kit homes. Interesting design and lots of fun details.
Sears Phoenix - in the flesh - in Cape Charles, Virginia
Side view of the Pheonix
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Sears Somerset
The porch has been altered, but I'd be willing to be money that this is indeed a Sears Somerset.
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Sears Walton
This "Walton" is one of two, side by side, in Cape Charles, Virginia
Is your house a Sears House? Click here to learn more.
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My husband and I own a Sears and Roebuck kit home #126! ca. 1912 in Cincinnati Ohio! We have been remodeling this place for the past 6 years, since we bought it “as-is”!!
We have not had much luck in finding pics of our home any where else and we are curious where those homes would be!
There’s a Sears 126 built sometime before 1912 at 2904 Meredith Avenue in Omaha, Nebraska.
I own a home in Cape Charles. I think that it is a Sears home but it has been altered.
Do you recognize it? 10 Madison Ave. Thank you for any help that you can give me.
Rob Headley
It looks like a Sears Sherbourne.