“We have worked out an attractive exterior along the lines commonly known as ‘Americanized English.'”
So reads the text that accompanies the description of the pretty little Neo-Tudor, known as a “Wilmore.”
And better yet, “The kitchen is sure to make friends among housewives…”
That’s a dark day in womanhood when a woman’s best friend is a kitchen.
Thanks to Dale Wolicki and Rebecca Hunter for sharing their photos of Wilmores found in the Midwest!
To read my favorite blog about Sears biggest house, click here.
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One of the optional extras for The Wilmore was a permanent staircase to the expandable attic (1938).
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Not a very big house, but a smart floor plan!
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It is a real cutie-pie of a house. Note the bellcast roof on the right rear.
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Here's a pretty little Wilmore that Dale found in West Peoria, IL. Someone painted over the nine-lite window on the front door. Ugh! And then someone put up sea-shell shutters! (I wonder if Suzie sold them the sea-shell shutters?) Photo is copyright 2014 Dale Wolicki and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.
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Rebecca Hunter found this Wilmore in Mendota, IL. I love the vintage lawnchairs. Photo is copyright 2010 Rebecca Hunter and may not be used or reproduced without written permisison.
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Here's a Wilmore I found in the Staunton (Virginia) area, just across from the North River School. If someone can give me a better address than that, I'd be very grateful.
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And this is perhaps the most interesting Wilmore. It's a customized Wilmore in Kirkwood, Missouri, and I visited the house in 2003, and authenticated it as The Real Deal. The floorplan is *flipped* (as compared to the catalog image) and turned 90 degrees on the lot. The front gable was extended to create a more spacious dining room. The front door was moved to the side of the gable, and a small window is on the smaller gable in place of a door. This angle really highlights that bellcast roof on the gable (left side of picture).
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To contact Rose, please leave a comment below.
To visit Rebecca’s website, click here.
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Rebecca Hunter gets credit for finding the Wilmore in East Peoria!
As usual I drove and focused on traffic, so she could focus on looking at houses.
The Wilmore in Virginia is on VA State Rt. 42 in Mt. Solon. That part of Rt. 42 through Augusta County is called Scenic Highway. I don’t know the exact address for the house, but North River Elementary across the road is 3395 Scenic Highway. Hope this helps!
Hi! We just moved from a Wilmore in Takoma Park, MD, and I’d love to order a print of the old Sears ad to frame as a memento of our first home. Our house looked almost exactly like the one in the ad (happy to send you a picture!). Do you have any information about how to order a copy of this image that is high-enough resolution to make a good big print? Many thanks!
– Jody
My daughter is buying a Wilmore in Morton, IL. The original character of this home is untouched!
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/316-N-1st-Ave_Morton_IL_61550_M80574-49188#photo1
@Jody Peltason
Hi Jody,
This is a little late and I hope you see this. I can send you a copy 600dpi. Let me know where to email it!
Sign me,
A friend of Rose 🙂
Here’s an authenticated Sears Wilmore. It was built in March 1940 according to a newspaper article in my research files.
Real estate listing with photos still up: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4017-Brookville-Rd-Indianapolis-IN-46201/1075169_zpid/
I photographed a house recently in New Hartford, CT and posted it on Instagram.
Two different people messaged me to tell me it’s a Wilmore, and sure enough it is! So cool. It is in excellent condition from the exterior, at least.