Whilst driving along State Route 501, between Lynchburg and Glasgow, I spotted this Elsmore in Big Island, Virginia. (And why was a town high atop a mountain named “Big Island”?)
Nonetheless, this Elsmore is a beauty, and it looks like it stepped right off the pages of the Sears Modern Homes catalog.
Two years ago, I swore that I was done with Sears Houses, but these days, as my healing progresses, the special ones do catch my eye and warm my heart.
To read about another delightful Elsmore, click here.
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The Elsmore, as seen in the 1919 Sears Modern Homes catalog.
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Note the colors of this pretty thing.
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What a beauty - and it's a perfect match to the catalog image - down to the colors!
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This house sits on Lee-Jackson Highway in Big Island, Virginia. Capturing a photo of this beautiful old house was quite a thrill. This road has no shoulders; just deep ruts on either side that are fairly terrifying, and it's a major trucking route. I was unable to stop so I slowed down on this incredibly twisty road and snapped several photos out of the passenger window. Then I turned around and did the same thing out out of the driver's side. It was not something I'm going to do again. And for the record, Route 501 (Lee-Jackson Highway) is one of those roads where even the driver gets car sick. However...what a house!
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The image shown here is still zoomed in quite a bit. The house sits high on a knoll.
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Lynchburg and the surrounding areas are so very beautiful, but these mountain roads are a little intense for me right now. Pre-2016, there was nothing I'd love more than zipping along a canyon road in a snazzy red car. Now, I find myself getting fairly queasy - when *I* am driving! Maybe in a couple years, I'll be able to drive these mountain roads with relative ease.
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A beautiful house in a beautiful place, and it overlooks the James River.
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Route 501 runs beside the James River. While some folks may love these roads, they're not fun these days for me, and getting a picture of a house on one of these roads - Oy vey!
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To read about another delightful Elsmore, click here.
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Wow, what a find!!! I think we should have postcards made up to send to people who own these treasures. Something along the lines of, “We spotted your home and suspect it may be a kit home. If you would like to help us determine that, please join us on facebook. Once we authenticate these kit homes, we can add them to the registry.”
You know, explain what the kit homes are, etc.
I’m with Rhonda!
If you could see me now, dear Rosie — having to resist the temptation to jump up and down, clapping my hands like a 3 year-old because you’re not only photographing again, and blogging the find; but the sheer excitement of finding a kit home when not expecting it!
Something like this is comparable to a real-life board game of some kind.
Yes! We can look for kit homes should you tool down my way.
Two known prominent “kit home” areas would make for a quick trip — especially if you say, “Nope!”
What a great find! I bet the homeowners have a nice view of the pretty green hills.
It looks like a nice scenic drive by the James River – as long as one does not suffer from motion sickness.
If you were going to live in an Elsmore, which floor plan would you choose?
There are things I like about both plans, but I think the one with the reception room would win.
I like Rhonda’s idea. Wouldn’t people love there home just a little bit more when told by an expert, “you have something special”?
Good morning, Would someone be able to help me identify my parent’s 1931 “Vallonia” ?
I believe from looking online that it is the Sears Home Kit Vallonia, although the front porch columns are different.
What should I look for? Any ideas? Thank you! Amy
Hi! I’m so happy to have found this page. I’m still catching up on some of your first entries!
Would it be alright to create some of these homes in the Sims 4 for others to enjoy? I would make sure to cite this blog.
Either way thanks for all your hard work!
I used to drive that road regularly when I was in college. Big Island is named for an island in the James River.
We bought this house in Feb 2019 and are about to start rehabbing the building. For nearly three months, we’ve focused on clearing decades of overgrown brush from the property. By the way, Rt 501, or known to locals as Lee-Jackson Hwy, , the main way between I-81 and Lynchburg, has had its share of fender bender and fatal wrecks.