Of the 370 models that Sears offered, there was only one house that was fancier and bigger than the Glen Falls: The Sears Magnolia.
In 1922, the Magnolia had sold for $5,849. In the mid-20s, the Glen Falls sold for $4,560. The Magnolia had 2,900 square feet. The Glen Falls had about 2,700 square feet. It was a very large house for its time.
And while I love this house, it harbors some bad memories for me.
I’ve received a verbal thrashing from TWO Glen Falls homeowners, both of whom were pretty upset when I told them that their beautiful house might be a Sears house. The house is so grandiose and so beautiful, people just don’t believe that this was one of those “crappy little kit homes.”
Alas!
To learn how to identify Sears Homes, click here.
Glen Falls was one of their biggest and fanciest homes! (1928 catalog).
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I wasn't even sure if "picturesqueness" was a real word.
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In the 1926 catalog, the Glen Falls was "featured," meaning that interior photos were shown.
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The early 20th Century iron fence is a lovely complement to the Glen Falls (Mattoon, IL).
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I'd love to meet the architect that thought this was a good idea. Because it's not. When they put this addition on, they *lost* the "picturesqueness and dignity" vote.
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As a kid, I'd ride my bike past this house again and again and again. It was less than a half-mile from my childhood home (in nearby Waterview - Portsmouth, VA). I've always loved this house, and was delighted to discover that it was a Sears Glen Falls! The porch has been enclosed, but inside, those tall columns (shown in the catalog) are still in place.
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Cape Charles, Virginia (Eastern Shore) is one of my favorite places. This Glen Falls (and a host of other Sears Homes) is located there.
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To learn more about Sears kit homes, click here.
To learn more about Rose’s newest book, click here.
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I love the Glen Falls. Supposedly there is one in Dayton Ohio, which is not too far from me. I am hoping to locate it this summer.
That second picture really made me gasp and then when I read your comment under the picture, I started laughing so hard I couldn’t see straight. You are absolutely right–who designed this “addition” and did all parties involved really, honestly think this looked good???
I know a Sam Swauger from Enon/Fairborn area!
Hey, that’s Wayne’s friend! 🙂 But did I mention Sam anywhere on the blog?
There’s a beautiful Glen Falls on my street in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
We’ve been told our home built in 1920 is a Sears kit house. I’d love to share a picture with you if you can email me your email address. My e-mail is Callieb.jones@yahoo.com
I grew up in a beautiful home and recently learned it was a Sears Glen Falls model home. It broke my heart to sell it after my parents passed away, but none of us children were able to return to live in our home town. A family friend and her husband purchased the house from us & moved “home” from California after retirement. The house is now for sale again. It is a larger version of the Glen Falls with 5 bedrooms, back stairs, a fireplace in the master bedroom, and 3.5 bathrooms. Here’s hoping that someone who appreciates it will purchase the house & continue the renovation. It is at 308 Prospect Blvd. in Lewiston, Idaho & can be viewed on Zillow. We owned it for 50 years & I can provide a comprehensive history of the house.
There’s a house that matches the Glen Falls in the 500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in Bristol, TN.