The Niota: 1200 Square Feet For $942

Not a bad deal to buy 1,200 square feet of kit house for less than $1,000, even in 1916! The Sears Niota – despite its being a good value and a cute house – was not a popular model for Sears.  And yet, according to a small promotional ad that appeared in...

Cairo, Illinois: Can This City Be Saved?

Despite a last-minute plea from desperate Missourians, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the plan to flood 132,000 acres of prime Missouri farmland will go forward. Flooding the farms will spare the tiny town of Cairo, Illinois, population – 2,800. The...

Modern Maggy Wanna-Be: Not!

The Sears Magnolia was the biggest, fanciest and prettiest home. According to legend, there were only a few Magnolias built in the country, and heretofore, only six have been found (Benson, NC., South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana). The sixth was in...