The Elsmore was a hugely popular house for Sears, and it was probably one of their top five best selling models.
Since all sales records were destroyed during a post-WW2 corporate housecleaning at Sears, it’s hard to know for sure, but I do know that I’ve seen a whole lot of Elsmores in my travels.
Earlier this year, I posted another blog on the Elsmore (click here to see that), but I was inspired to post a second blog, due to this home’s incredible popularity and also because Cindy Catanzaro found and photographed one of the prettiest (and most well-cared-for) Elsmores that I’ve ever seen.
To read more on the Elsmore, click here.
"Refinement and Comfort here." Sounds lovely!!
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Here's an Elsmore that was built in Cairo, IL not far from the spot where Sears had their 40-acre lumber mill. This Elsmore, built at 1501 Commerce Avenue, was torn down pre-2001. I visited Cairo then and went looking for this house, but 1501 Commerce was an empty lot at that point. How many Sears Homes in Cairo have been razed? It's a vexing question.
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Another vintage Elsmore. This one was in Glenshaw, PA (1919 catalog).
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This is one of my favorite Elsmores. It's in Park Ridge, Illinois. Picture perfect in every way. Photo is copyright 2010, Dale Patrick Wolicki and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
Visit Dale’s website by clicking here.
And the crème de la crème. Cindy Catazaro found this house in Oakwood Ohio and it has been lovingly and faithfully restored. The house has obviously had some "renovations," but they've been done in a thoughtful, sensitive manner. I'm so impressed to know that there are people in the world who love their Sears House *this* much! Photo is copyright 2012, Cindy Catazaro and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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An skinny mini-Elsmore? It might be a trick of the eye, but it appears this Elsmore in Walnutport, PA is a little narrower than the catalog version. The window arrangement is also a little different. I'd love to know the history behind this house. Photo is copyright 2012 Angela Laury and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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The Elsmore, as it appeared in the later 1910s and 20s was actually a remodel of Modern Home #126, which was first offered in the 1908 (first) Sears Modern Homes catalog.
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If you compare the two floorplans, you'll see how similar they are. This is the floorplan for the Sears Modern Home #126 (1908). Notice the size of the rooms and placement of windows.
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And here's the floorplan for the Elsmore (1916). The chamfered corners are gone and the front porch is different, but the rest of the house is the same, down to window placement and room size. The front porch roof on Modern Home #126 (with cantilevers) *always* sagged due to its fantastic weight. Not a good design. The changes to the Elsmore porch fixed that problem.
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Thanks to Cindy Catazaro and Dale Wolicki for providing such beautiful photos!
To read more about the Elsmore, click here.
To visit Dale’s website, click here.
Did you enjoy this blog? Please take a moment and leave a nice comment below. I’m living on nothing but love.
🙂
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That Elsmore in Oakwood is absolutely GORGEOUS!
If folks have gas in their google car they can stop by 200 Glenn Avenue, Glenshaw, PA and see the DeHaven testimonial house (thanks Mark 😉 ).
To see the interior of an Elsmore that is currently on the market check out this listing http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/868-Quaker-Ln-S-West-Hartford-CT-06110/57783747_zpid/
Bad news–the Elsmore in Park Ridge, IL was torn down.
Well I am glad I photographed the Park Ridge Elsmore when I did. Park Ridge had a lot of Sears and Wardway homes at one time but most have given way to larger homes. Still a few kit homes to see and worth a ride around town.
So is this a listing of Sears Modern Home 126?
http://www.estately.com/listings/info/30739-e-red-arrow-highway
I noticed you said it would be fun to find Joseph DeHaven’s Elsmore.
I believe it was just for sale and just went under contract.
I have contacted the real estate agent trying to confirm this, but as yet, have not heard back from him.
I could send you the ad for it which has a nice picture of the outside and several pictures of the inside (unfortunately remodeled).
I do not know how legal it would be to post though.
If you want me to send it, please send your email address.
Also, if you went to Glenshaw, it would probably pretty easy to find…..small town.
Please just post it here. There are no privacy issues associated with posting a link to a house that’s for sale.
I noticed you said it would be fun to find Joseph DeHaven’s Elsmore. I believe it was just for sale and just went under contract.
I have contacted the realestate agent trying to confirm this, but as yet, have not heard back from him.
I could send you the ad for it which has a nice picture of the outside and several pictures of the inside (unfortunately remodeled).
http://www.trulia.com/homes/Pennsylvania/Glenshaw/sold/710019-200-Glenn-Ave-Glenshaw-PA-15116
I grew up in an Elsmore in Orion, IL. My parents were the second owners. It was just sold last week to a young couple who are excited to make it their family home. The woodwork in the house is all still original as well as the front hall light fixture. It has three hand painted shades and is stunning.