Today’s accomplishment is not something that I did. My friend, Vanilla, at String to Short to Tie saw last Friday’s post and responded with a comment. He also sent me an e-mail with the URL of a site devoted to homes that were sold by Sears (Sears, Roebuck and Company back then). I was delighted!
This model home was called the “Maytown.” It was given the reference number, 167. In later years, Sylvia’s grandfather had removed the porch and replaced it with a first-floor bedroom.
Here’s what Sears had to say in the catalog: “For $753.00 we will furnish all the material to build this eight-room house, consisting of mill work, flooring, ceiling, siding, finishing lumber, building paper, pipe, gutter, sash weights, hardware, painting material, lumber, lath and shingles. NO EXTRAS, as we guarantee enough material at the above price to build this house according to our plans.”
” By allowing a fair price for labor, cement, brick and plaster, which we do not furnish, this house can be built for about $1,573.00, including all material and labor.”
Painting material included enough paint for two coats, inside and outside plus wood filler and varnish for two coats on the woodwork.
Sears was in this business from 1908 until 1940. You can read more about this by visiting the URL given earlier.
Rebecca,
That's neat about the twin houses in WV. Thanks for sharing that from your area.
Justine,
Yeah, it was pretty neat. About 1921 give or take a year.
Clara,
How about that? Another Sears house in the family.
Lin,
A skilled tradesman might earn $1/hr. A laborer would have earned $1 for a day's work.
It was still a bargain.
Oh, cool, Chuck!! Can you even imagine ordering a house?? And for that price???
The house Rick (hubby) grew up in was a Sears house, too. They have a framed picture of ad for the house. His dad talked to some of the older folks in Springport who remembered watching it being built. Very interesting process. And it was a nice house.
Isn't that just totally amazing? Imagine, buying a house kit for less than $1,000. Holy crapola. What year did your grandfather buy and build?
Justine 😮 )
There are two very similar houses that sit along the interstate here in WV. Everyone calls them 'The Twin Houses' when trying to give directions. Thanks for sharing this interesting bit of history!
Vanilla,
It was your comment that led to the followup. Thanks. I've done a bit more research and will have another post or two this week that spin off from this. Thanks for your regular visits and comments.
Your followup on your visit to the old house has yielded another interesting blogpost for you. Nice writeup.