One of Sears most popular kit homes was the Westly. It’s an easy house to identify because it’s quite unique. The roof line on the rear of the house does not come down as far as the roof line in the front. That dormer on the front is also pretty distinctive, with a door flanked by two windows, and the small railing in front.
Often (not always) the Sears Westly has the five piece eave brackets. And it often has the distinctive columns found on about 24 of Sears most popular designs. Click here to learn more about those distinctive columns!
One of the distinctive features (inside) is that corner fireplace in the dining room! This is from the 1919 Sears Modern Homes catalog.
Close-up of the dormer on the Sears Westly, and a better view of the original railing.
A nearly perfect Westly in Oak Hill, WV. The lower railings are original, but the upper railing has been replaced. Also note the original columns and five-piece eave brackets.
This Westly is in Lynchburg, VA. See that little closet window on the upper right? That's another pretty distinctive feature of the Sears Westly.
Elgin, IL has the largest collection of Sears Homes in the country. This Westly is one of 210 Sears Homes in this northwestern Chicago suburb.
Is this a Westly? I'd be willing to bet $50 that it is. However, wrought iron is *not* this home's friend. The porch remodel was especially hard on the porch, as it made the front porch DISAPPEAR. This house is located in Virginia. There are no five-piece eave brackets because there are no EAVES to bracket. If this house were a human being, it'd be outlined in white chalk and we'd be hunting for the murderer.
This photo dates back to 2003, before the vinyl siding installers defrocked this house. Back then, this house was in stunningly original condition. The roof is Buckingham slate, which is unusual, but not unheard of for Sears Homes. In Sears Homes, the roofing joists were supersized, and collar-beams were added at each joist, to accommodate the extra weight of a slate roof. Buckingham slate (from Buckingham County) is one of the best slate shingles out there, and weighs in at 1,400 pounds per square. With minor maintenance every 100 years, the roof will last for eternity. This house is in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Sears Westly in downtown Suffolk (Virginia). It's been beautifully restored to its original glory and splendor, and has original siding and windows.
Superman slept here. Maybe. This Sears Westly is in Metropolis, IL.
This Westly in Lewisburg, WV has had its dormer extended. The flat spot in front of that dormer on the Westly is prone to leaks. Extending the front roof and nclosing the space is one way to solve that problem.
Perfection defined. Located in Raleigh, this Westly is one of my all-time favorites. Original everything. And beautifully maintained.
Close-up of dormer and original railing.
And in Oklahoma! It's had a lot of "improvements" but this Westly in Tulsa is still standing. Photo is copyright Rachel Shoemaker and can not be reproduced without written permission.
The rear of the Westly is also very distinctive with this short wall and through-the-cornice dormer. Photo is copyright Rachel Shoemaker and may not be reproduced without permission.
When I first saw this house in Ohio, I had an overwhelming urge to knock on their front door and demand that the homeowners surrender their Home Depot credit cards. If this were a dog, we'd test it for rabies and then put it down.
Sears Westly in Richmond, VA. If these walls could talk, this house would ask, "Do these railings make me look flat and dull?"
Lastly is this Westly in Northerly suburb of Chicago. Poor Westly has had an entire neighborhood built behind it. In Illinois, they call this a condominium. In many other states, this is call "hideous."
To read more about the Sears Homes in the Midwest, click here.
To buy Rose’s book, click here.
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Attention Westly fans: Weigh in now before its too late! Here’s your chance to share Tatsefull/authentic renovation addition ideas for a 1926 Westly. Mine is orginal from the catalog and has been gutted in preparation for remodel/restore. I am reusing as many fixtures, built ins baseboards and casings as feasible. I have parts I cannot reuse for those who are interested in them to authencally restsore. It’s essential in my case to add on at the rear to get a master on the second floor and additiona living space on the first floor.
I intend to scaled the addition in keeping with the original and replicate siding, bracket and other details. Send your ideas if you have them!
DC Westly 1926
I met the homeowners of the Westly here in Tulsa. We are very lucky that it is still standing! There are some people who tried to buy it to tear it down in the past. 🙁 And it sustained a lot of damage from the old trees that fell on it in our Dec 2007 ice storm. Its new owners are restoring it and keeping as much of it as original as possible. It is a much beloved home now!
Thank you for this post! i’ve found it very helpful in trying to identify our home.
Are you familiar with any Sears homes that are similar to the Westly? Previous owners have enclosed the front porch (but we still have our 4 pillars on each column, which is a standard Sears design!).
They have also extended the front bedroom, so we do not have the smaller upstairs balcony.
However, the back roofline is extended down all the way. Because of this trait, I am wondering whether or not we have a Westly?
Our interior floorplan is also slightly different, but i am under the assumption that a purchaser could have customized this.
What a wonderful site. I grew up in a Westly, built by my grandfather in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. My mom was born there and live all of her 91 years there.
I grew up hearing the stories of how grandpa and some male relatives brought the kit pieces from the railroad station and assembled the house. I also have a black and white photo of the home shortly after it was built.
Very proud to be part of this American history.
I’d love to find an enthusiast interested in buying this comfortable home and keeping it’s glory going. It’s on the market now.
The front of the house was modified in the early 60’s, I don’t remember why. Photos are here: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/5564-Kings-School-Rd_Bethel-Park_PA_15102_M44419-57164
@Caroline Graettinger
I agree with Rosemary, I can’t see a Westly in here at all. 🙁
Can you share the photo you have of the home shortly after it was built?
Not only would the front dormer have to have been completely changed (replaced) but the interior as well. I don’t see any Sears millwork or features inside either.
here’s one in Plymouth MI
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3662101,-83.474178,3a,75y,40.97h,78.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPkuWgE4Wjx92w6O9cDHPGQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
I know of one in Wayland, Ny on the perkinsville road. The porch has been enclosed, but the brackets are still intact.