Aladdin was probably the biggest of the six national companies that sold kit homes through mail order. And here in Virginia, the majority of kit homes I’ve found are Aladdins. This is probably due to the fact that Aladdin had a huge mill in Wilmington, NC.
Earlier, I drove out to Charlottesville (from my home in Norfolk), and I took Route 33 so that I could look for kit homes. I’d about given up on finding anything in Louisa when I turned down a sleepy little road about four blocks from the train station and look what I found! It’s an Aladdin Kentucky.
I’d been hoping to see one “in the flesh” for some time, and this one in Louisa is in WONDERFULLY original condition!
To read about another beautiful kit home I found in nearby Gordonsville, click here!
Click here to see what I found in Mineral (Virginia)!
To read about another “Kentucky” (in Mechanicsville, Iowa), click here.
The Kentucky, as seen in the 1919 catalog.
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The Kentucky was offered in two floorplans, small and large. This house was 43' wide!!!
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Fine-looking house, isn't it?
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Be still my heart. Here it is, alive and well in Louisa, VA. It's rare to find a 100-year-old house still in original condition. This house has its original doors, windows and sidings!
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The Kentucky is a very wide house!
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Close-up on the details. I love those windows!
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Many years ago, someone planted a pair of oaks squarely in front of the house.
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Close-up on the catalog image shows detail of the columns, doors and window.
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This Kentucky looks much like it did when built in 1914.
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Easily one of the best matches I've ever seen - and it's in Louisa, VA!
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In addition to the Aladdin Kentucky, I also found this cute little bungalow in Louisa. This image is from the 1923 Aladdin catalog. This was the Aladdin "Cape Cod" (model name).
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What a nice match to the catalog page!
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The Aladdin Madison was a very poplar house for Aladdin. In this graphic (1928 catalog), it was called "The Lindbergh."
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This house was offered with two floorplans. The Madison in Louisa was the larger of the two floorplans, with the extra window on the home's front, and the two bump-outs in the rear.
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Here's the Madison in Louisa! Another lovely match!
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To learn more about why these kit homes are historically significant, click here.
To read about the kit homes in Staunton,VA, click here.
And to learn more about why Louisa is so historically significant, click here.
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Wow! That’s probably the best Aladdin Kentucky I have ever seen. The original model used in the catalog pics was built as an exhibition home for the 1914 Michigan State Fair.
Did the floor plan on the Kentucky really take you through the pantry every time you went to the kitchen?
Hello! I was recently forwarded your article.
Is there any way you could send me the addresses on the properties you photographed in Louisa County, Virginia?
I think I may recognize one of them, but want to see if I can develop a small exhibit with the local historical society or something fun like that– could promote your site and book in the process as well!
Thank you!
Or you could contact the Louisa County Historical Society (LCHS) to share information directly with them.
I know they would love any and all of your insight!
Kris, I’d love to share the addresses with the Louisa County Historical Society, but I’m not sure how to send them an email.
Any ideas?
That’s wonderful Aladdin Kentucky! You don’t get any closer of a match than that. Looks like they are getting ready to paint it too. I hope the owner realizes what a treasure they have.
That Cape Cod is handsome too. We have a brick one in our neck of the woods.
Thanks for sharing!
@Kris
Kris, We’ve booked Rosemary to come to Louisa on September 15th at the Louisa Arts Center.
Would love you to be sure to come and yes, we’d welcome you to create an exhibit on the local kit houses.
It would be great to place at the Sargeant Museum (www.louisahistory.org) and we’ll help you gather info.
E. Taylor, Director
The Aladdin Kentucky is exactly what we are interested in building.
We will be driving thru Louisa,VA soon and would love to see the home in person.
Do you by chance have the address or name of the sleepy little road off of Route 33?
We would greatly appreciate your help.
Best Regards,
Mack
Charlotte, NC
I am restoring an Aladdin Kentucky home in Paducah KY. I’m not sure if anyone manages this page anymore, but on the outside chance that someone is, I would like to send pictures. It’s quite remarkable. The house is nearly down to bare studs and Aluminum siding has preserved the original lap siding. Original windows and doors. Even hardware.
I look forward to hearing from someone. Thanks
Bill Woods
Hi There,
We own a Kentucky Aladdin Home in Bethlehem, New Hampshire.
I would love to send you photos. And do you have any ideas of where to get those wonderful storm doors for the front?
There’s a house on North Second Street at East Beall Ave in Bardstown that looks just like a Sears Kentucky. They had a deacon’s bench on the front porch for years when I was growing up. Also, had a purse on it which disappeared during my teen years.