Of the 370 models that Sears offered during their 32 years in the kit house business, I’d guesstimate that the same 60 models were built about 90% of the time. Of those 370 models, there are about 80 models of Sears Homes that neither Rebecca Hunter nor I have never seen. We can’t help but wonder if some of these “super rare” models were ever built – anywhere!
One of the rarest of the Sears kit homes is the Sears San Jose. It’s billed as a “Spanish Bungalow,” and it does look like it’d be right at home in California.
Rebecca Hunter found a beautiful example of a San Jose in Blue Island, Illinois (near Chicago). It’s in pristine condition and looks much like it did when ordered out of the Sears Roebuck catalog in 1928.
To read about Rebecca’s new book, click here.
To read about Rose’s latest book, lookie here.
San Jose, from the 1928 catalog.
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Little bit different floorplan from the traditional Sears House.
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The San Joses had the double-arched tower with a cute little gated window at the top, and a garden entry coming off the side of the house. It was a cutie!
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Rebecca Hunter found this San Jose in Blue Island, Illinois.
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Side-by-side comparison of the catalog image and the house in Illinois. Photo is courtesy Rebecca Hunter and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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To learn more about Rebecca’s newest book, click here
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Close-up of the tower and little window. Photo is courtesy Rebecca Hunter and my not be used or reproduced without permission.
To learn more about Rebecca Hunter, click here.
To read more about Sears Homes, click here.
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Love this style, but it looks a little weird with snow on the ground!
This is our house too! In Boonton New Jersey (Morris County)….and, on KENMORE Road!
We never could figure out the connection of Kenmore and Sears. Would you know??
Let me know if you would like a picture or two, I’ll dig some up.
@Vera Peterson
Hi Vera,
I do NOT know the connection between Sears and Kenmore! I know that Sears had a brand of appliances known as “Homart,” which came from Sears location at the corner of Homan and Arthington Streets!
But Kenmore is a puzzle!
Probably Kenmore Avenue in Chicago. Sears was big on using local street names. 🙂