Springfield Missouri is home to Sears Modern Home #177, which is very exciting to me, because this is a model that has never been seen “in the flesh,” by me, Rachel, Rebecca or Dale.
And it’s quite an unusual house, so it should be easy to spot.
Later this year, I’ll be traveling through central Missouri, and I’m going to make a special stop in Springfield, Missouri.
Just to see this house.
But before embarking on this wild house chase, I’ve been perusing* google maps, striving to find at least a NEIGHBORHOOD where this house might sit. Heretofore, I’ve been largely unsuccessful. So if you live in or near Springfield and have any idea where I might find this house, please give me a hint?
Thanks!
Hopefully, a few weeks from now, I’ll be able to post a picture of Sears Modern Home #177!
To read about the cool houses I recently found in Jacksonville, IL, click here.
What do those marks on the lumber of a kit house really mean?
*Perusing is one of the MOST misused words in the English language. It means “to study intensely.”
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Sears Modern Home 177, as seen in the 1916 catalog.
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Quite a house, and it's one I've never seen.
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And there's one in Springfield, Missouri, but WHERE?
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Nice floorplan, too!
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There's a Niota, too but it's not nearly as exciting as the #177!
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And thanks to Rachel's ability to sniff out a Sears House from 200 miles away, we've already located the Niota! She found this on Webster Avenue, but no sign of Modern Home #177!
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So where is Sears Modern Home #177?
I’d love to know!
Contact Rose by leaving a commment below!
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What do those marks on the lumber of a kit house really mean?
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Hi, Rose! Write me. Let’s catch up.
@Kenn Thomas
I did! Your turn!
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BTW, do you remember I was traumatized by some dude in Springfield that ditched me! LOL. Like Garth Brooks says, “Thank God for unanswered prayers!”
Despite that, I still shall strive to help Springfield!
I live in Springfield and the house seems familiar.
I would focus around the area of the Missouri State campus, such as Grand, Elm, Kimbrough, Fremont, Delaware.
Lots of old homes built around the same time of this house.
I posted your posting to the museum on the community page, You Know Your From Springfield…. (and yes, they know it should be you’re!)
Some guesses are coming in, so you might want to check them out:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/213793102006167/786847271367411/?notif_t=group_comment
I’m the archivist at Missouri State University, but don’t think I can help in any professional capacity — I don’t think our archival holdings will help. If you do have questions I might answer, I can be reached at the email address I gave above.
@Anne Baker
Ah, I am on Facebook, but can’t see the responses!!
Alas!!!
I’ve submitted a request to join that group, but can’t see anything until the request is approved!
The humanity!!!
I looked for this house a few years ago and the only house that resembled it that I could find is on N. Benton and it only resembles it in that it is also a 2 story front, clipped gables, house.
I have invested, once again, several hours looking for it the past week. Sigh, I’m that crazy.
I did a “flyover” via Bing aerial and couldn’t find any other 2 story front clipped gabled houses ANYWHERE.
Laugh, LOL, but I found a Magnolia doing that and I have found a few other houses as well.
I think that it (177) was either built as a farmhouse, doesn’t look much like one, OR it was razed for university expansion.
I found that Springfield has several pattern book homes that I recognize and have catalog images for a couple of them that I will forward to Rosemary.
One of them was the home to JF Legan of Williams Lumber Company.
Without getting too much into detail, lumber companies often published popular patterns in small catalogs for local. Other sources for popular patterns were trade journals such as American Builder, National Builder and Keith’s…to name few.
I walk past this house all the time, tried to drive to it this morning, and couldn’t find it!
I will find it today or tomorrow and take a couple of pics. If you want to email me with an email address so that I can send you the pictures?