Pretty, Pretty Preston!

“Houses By Mail” (published 1985) is a wonderful field guide for those seeking more information on the 370 models of Sears kit homes that were offered from 1908 – 1940. The book contains some factual errors, but it’s still one of my favorites...

The Sears 264P202! What a House!

Before 1918, Sears Homes were given numbers, not names. From a marketing perspective, it was brilliant to assign names to these models. After all, would you rather tell Mum and Dad that you’re buying “Sears Modern Home #2089” or that you’ve...

Richard Warren Sears: A Few Fun Facts!

As mentioned in my previous blog, Richard Warren Sears was my hero, and he really was a marketing genius. Here’s my #1 favorite story that showcases his brilliance: Knowing that many households would have both his catalog and the Montgomery Ward catalog, Sears...