In 2002, someone called to tell me that they had a Sears House. (This was way back in the day when my business cards included my personal phone number.)
The caller said, “I live in Washington, DC and I own a Sears Home.”
I asked if she knew which model it was.
She replied, “I sure do. It’s the Halfway House.”
“The Halfway House?” I asked, hoping I’d merely misunderstood.
“Yes, that’s right,” she said.
I asked if she could spell that for me, and she did. I had heard her correctly the first time.
I knew that Sears sold “The Morphine Cure,” in the early days (a patent remedy for breaking a morphine addiction), and I knew that Sears offered “The Heidelberg Electric Belt” (guaranteed to restore men’s “vitality”).
But I was not aware that Sears had offered any 12,000-piece reformatory kit houses.
I asked the caller to send me a photo. A few days later, a picture arrived in the mail. It was a picture of the Sears Hathaway.
Sears Hathaway, first offered with two bedrooms. (1921 catalog).
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In later years, they offered in a three-bedroom model (1928).
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The third bedroom was created by adding that little bump to the right rear.
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Sears Hathaway in Elmhurst Illinois - in brick!
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Perfect little Hathaway in Cincinnati, Ohio. I'm guessing the address is 1627 but I suppose it could also be 1267 (or 2716 in some Mideastern countries). (Photo is copyright 2012 Donna Bakke and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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Another Cincinnati Hathaway, courtesy of Donna Bakke. Not sure why it has two doors. Surely this tiny house has not been turned into two apartments! (Photo is copyright 2012 Donna Bakke and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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Sears Hathaway in Wyoming, Ohio. (Photo is copyright 2012 Donna Bakke and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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And here's a Halfway House in Hampton, Virginia!
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My favorite Hathaway is this one in Newport News, Virginia. It still has its original lattice work on the porch! Every detail is perfect.
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Comparison of the two images.
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Look at the details on the porch!
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And compare it to the original catalog picture!
To learn more about Sears Homes, click here.
To learn about Addie Hoyt, click here.
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