Last week, I wrote about the Sears Magnolia in South Bend, Indiana, and posted some old, not-so-clear snapshots of the house. I also posted the photos at a couple internet sites, asking if someone might be so kind as to snap a few new photos for me.
Incredibly, wonderfully, two kind souls responded, providing beautiful, professional-quality photos of this very rare Sears House in South Bend.
So now, thanks to the kindness of not one, but two dear souls, I have updated (and beautiful) photos! That’s the GOOD news!
The sad news is, our Maggy in South Bend is in some pain. I’d love to know if this house is for sale, or what’s happened. It appears to be in a state of decline. We’ve already lost one Magnolia in Nebraska that was torn down years ago, and we almost lost the Maggy in Canton, Ohio in the 1970s, when it fell into such a state of disrepair that the roof collapsed into the second floor. It was the vision of two people, and a heroic restoration and a devotion to historic preservation that saved that house.
Let’s hope and pray that our Maggy in South Bend is preserved and restored. After all, it’s one of only six remaining (known) Magnolias in the country!
And thank you to James Layne and Garrett Baumann who took time out of their busy day to run over to the house and take several *beautiful* photos.
To learn more about how to identify Sears Homes, click here.
The Sears Magnolia - as seen in the 1921 catalog.
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Close-up on the floor plan for the first floor.
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And here it is - the Sears Magnolia in South Bend, Indiana. Oh, what a house - and what a wonderful photo!! Many thanks to James Layne who sent me a plethora of wonderful, high resolution photos! (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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Close-up of the porch
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Thanks to the high resolution, clear photos that James sent, I was able to zoom in on details - such as the front porch! (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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In fact, Mr. Layne's photos were such a high resolution that I was able to zoom way, way in and get nice, detailed images of the entryway (shown above). (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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And this photo, taken by Garrett Baumann, really shows the majesty of the Magnolia, and its setting on a spacious lot. (Photo is copyright 2012 Garrett Baumann and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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The original wooden railing on the top of the porch roof is long gone, and has been replaced with wrought iron, which also appears to be fading a bit. (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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Our poor Maggy is in some pain. The original half-round galvanized gutters are looking a little tired. And you can see that someone started to paint the eaves - but then stopped. The good news is, it'll be easy to remove that aluminum siding, and those plastic "accoutrements" atop the windows. (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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The porch ceiling needs a little attention, too. In fact, it needs a lot of attention. Sears Homes were made with #1 Southern Yellow Pine (for framing members) harvested out of first-growth virgin forests. We'll never see wood like that again in this country. The exteriors were 100% cypress, which was known as "The Wood Eternal." Sears Homes were made with superior quality wood, but left unattended and unmaintained, they will eventually deteriorate and decay. Hopefully, this Magnolia will be preserved. (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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The Magnolia has these very distinctive windows, with the small lites above the main sashes. It's details such as this that really distinguish the Sears Magnolia from look-alikes. Every day, several people land at my website after googling the terms "house with the blue shutters" (from the movie, "The Notebook" because someone somewhere started a rumor that the house featured in that movie is a Sears Magnolia. That house looks nothing like the Sears Magnolia. The key to proper identification really is in the details. (Photo is copyright 2012 Garrett Baumann and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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Just look at those beautiful Ionic columns!! (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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The Magnolia - in all it's splendor. (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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Another splendiferous shot of a splendid house: The Magnolia. (Photo is copyright 2012 James Layne and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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I really appreciate a good photo, because there've been many times when people send me "house photos" that look like this. (And yes, there is a house back there, hidden behind all that greenery!)
Thank you again to both James Layne and Garrett Baumann for running out to an old house on West North Shore Drive and performing a “random act of kindness” for a total stranger. I am profoundly grateful. And I’m confident that the 1,000+ daily readers of my blog are grateful, too!
We love our Magnolias! 🙂
To read the first blog on the South Bend Magnolia, click here.
To learn more about the Sears Magnolia, click here.
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Wow! These are wonderful photos! The closeups of the front porch, pillars, and eave details are truly amazing. I almost felt like I was standing on the porch looking up. Thanks!
Thank you Garrett and James!! I too hope that this house gets some much needed attention before it is too late. What a beautiful house this is and it appears to be on a lovely lot–perhaps you can write a note to the homeowners and see if they respond? Have you ever done anything like that before?
This house is empty and most likely is a bank foreclosure.
It is just north of downtown South Bend, Indiana. Across the street is the St. Joseph River.
All of the homes along this stretch on North Shore are beautiful homes!
I drive by there everyday now since the discovery of this house! There is a vehicle that is there sometimes when I pass by. That makes me believe that perhaps it’s not sitting empty as I originally thought. Either way it is too bad that it is falling apart, just another casualty of the downward economy-unfortunately.
Garrett, I am SO grateful for your photos! And I’m glad you find the topic intriguing. These houses are a lot of fun to find and identify. I do hope that our “Maggy” in Indiana doesn’t experience any more deterioration.
I am the owner of the home, but the property is in divorce proceedings, unfortunately; should be sorted soon and the work will be done.
A lot of the work was already done, but more is needed. The house is not empty, and will be restored, including a tear-off of the horrible aluminum siding.
YEA! We hope to see more of you here as well as in the Sears group that is so very interested in your lovely home. The majesty of it still shines. THANKS !
@mary smyth
Mary, are you the current owner of the South Bend Maggy? I am interested in replicating one on our property in Marysville, Ohio and would love to stop by and see what a real Magnolia looks like from the inside out.
This house is currently on the market if you would like to see some interior photos, although the photos aren’t that great. It’s been listed for quite awhile now.
http://www.movingindiana.com/Property/IN/46617/South_Bend/325_W_Northshore_Drive
This house is currently under major renovation.
I personally know who’s renovating, and have personally delivered their materials to this house.
My dream house! One day, I will build my own dream house – same design and architecture.