Several weeks ago, Charleston resident and Sears House aficionado Kevin Eberle contacted me and said that there were several kit homes in Charleston, SC.
Oh sure. I’d heard that one before.
Actually, what I typically hear is, “Why, this town is just FULL of Sears Homes! As far as the eye can see!”
But Kevin wasn’t making that claim. He was saying that he’d found several kit homes in Charleston.
Did I dare to hope?
And then, when I saw the photos, I did a little happy dance.
Kevin really had found an abundance of kit homes in Charleston and most of them are in beautiful condition.
Does Charleston have even more kit homes than is shown below?
It’s possible! If you know of a kit home in Charleston, please leave me a comment!
Many thanks to Kevin for supplying *all* of the photos in this blog. I posted the pictures (below), but Kevin did all the research and legwork.
To learn more about kit homes in South Carolina, click here.
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The Sears Roanoke as seen in the 1921 catalog.
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The Roanoke in Charleston is in picture perfect condition. Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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At least 80% of the time, these 90-year-old houses are missing that wooden awning over the front windows. However both of the Roanokes in Charleston still have that awning. Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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The Sears Belmont is a classic 1920s bungalows (1920 catalog).
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And there's a stunning example of a Sears Belmont in Charleston, SC. This is only the 2nd Belmont I've seen "in the flesh." Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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The Saratoga was one of their larger homes. The floorplan shows a living room that is 14' wide and 29' feet long. Both living room and dining room have beamed ceilings.
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This is a fine-looking Saratoga in Charleston and in mostly original condition. Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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This Saratoga's good looks have been somewhat diminished by the substitute siding, but at least, it's still standing. Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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Comparison of the orginal catalog image and the house in Charleston. Unfortunately, they show two different sides, but it's most certainly a Saratoga. Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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The Capitol, as seen in the Aladdin catalog (1933).
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Kevin even found this Aladdin Capitol, despite the fact that it was built sideways on the lot! Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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Aladdin Villa, as seen in the 1919 catalog.
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Is this an Aladdin Villa? I'm honestly not sure, but it'd be fun to find out! Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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The Gordon Van Tine Roberts (1924 catalog).
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The Gordon Van Tine Roberts is easy to identify because it's such a unique house and (as far as I know) this particular design was never replicated by other companies. Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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The Gordon Van Tine 534 was a very popular house (1919 catalog).
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Kevin found this GVT #534 in Charleston. This photo was taken in 2003. The house has been remodeled since this photo was taken. Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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The Sterling Sentinel, as seen in the 1916 catalog.
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This was my favorite of the whole bunch. It's just a spot-on match to the Sterling "Sentinel"! Photo is copyright 2012 Kevin Eberle and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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Comparison of the two houses. What a perfect match!
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Thanks again to Kevin Eberle for sharing all these wonderful photos!
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Oh yet another Aladdin Villa discovered. The Sterling Sentinel, is a maybe.
This plan was offered by several plan book companies including Sterling Homes.
Have you ever been to Summerville, SC. There are several homes just to the left of the Town Hall/Courthouse that ate cute little cottage style homes that look like they could be Sears homes. They are very close to the railroad tracks and would have be been very easy for delivery of the kits.
Can’t verify that they are Sears kit homes but they could be.