Probably one of their top-ten best selling models, the Sears Argyle was a quality home in countless ways, but in a very compact package. It was a mere 1,008-square-feet of house, and yet it had a myriad of fine features such as wainscoting topped with plate-rail in the dining room, beamed ceilings in the living room, with bookcase colonnades between the dining and living rooms.
Cabinetry in the colonnades and built-in-bookcases by the fireplace featured leaded-glass doors.
In 1919, it was offered for $1,479 and was an exceptional value (even in 1919 dollars).
In 1916, the Argyle was offered fora mere $881.
*
By 1920, the price had jumped a bit to $1,479.
*
Notice the wainscoting in the dining room, topped with plate rail. Pretty fancy!
*
The living room is equally fancy. Notice the leaded glass in the built-in cabinetry.
*
The Argyle bedroom, as seen in the 1921 catalog.
*
And the bathroom (as seen in the 1921 catalog).
*
The Argyle, as featured in the 1921 catalog.
*
Were there any "unhappy" Argyle owners? I hope not! (1921 catalog)
*
It was a busy little house, but well laid out (1921). Notice how the porch floor extends a little bit beyond the primary wall? That is a very distinctive feature, and makes it easier to identify the Sears Argyle.
*
The Argyle, as seen in the 1920 catalog.
*
A *perfect* Sears Argyle in New Baden, IL.
*
Another near-perfect Argyle in Nampa, Idaho.
*
A nice, but neglected Argyle in Townsend, Virginia (Eastern Shore).
*
Not surprisingly, little Cairo Illinois has an abundance of Sears kit homes, including a couple Argyles. There was a mill at Cairo, dedicated to turning trees into kit homes. As is typical of most Argyles, the two closet windows are missing down this side. These often get covered up, or done away it. The advent of lights in every nook and cranny made closet windows unnecessary.
*
Awesome Argyle in Raleigh, NC.
*
Pretty little Argyle in a not-so-pretty part of Norfolk, VA.
*
One of the most screwed-up Argyles in the world. This house is located in an unnamed city in Illinois.
*
Argyle in Ocean View (Norfolk, VA).
*
Roanoke Rapids (North Carolina) is stuffed full of Aladdin Kit Homes. In fact, they have more than 50 Aladdin Homes in one small section of town. However, they also have a few Sears Homes, such as this Argyle.
*
Icky Argyle in Wood River, Illinois.
*
And one more Argyle in Raleigh, NC.
To learn more about Sears kit homes, click here.
To learn about how to identify them, click here.
To learn about the family member that I had exhumed, click here.
* * *
I live in Alaska and think there is an “Argyle” house in my town. Is there any way I could email you a photo of it, to get your opinion?
I love that “argyle socks” is one of the tags! It’s makes me smile!