quote:

Originally posted by Samplerbird:
Before we purchased our home a few years ago, we had an inspector look it over. He told us that it was a Montgomery Ward's kit home built in the 20's. My husband discovered a crate top in the attic stamped Montgomery Wards, Davenport Iowa, which confirmed the inspector's identification. The house has oak floors and trim throughout. I haven't had luck so far finding any information to locate the kit floorplan, etc. I fould a Sears kit, The Cresent, that is almost identical to the porch struture as our house. Any idea where I could find information about the kits that Mont Wards offered?

quote:

Originally posted by Rosemary Thornton:
As far as Sears kit homes are concerned, you could request an exterior made of wood (clapboard or shingle), brick, block (as you describe) or even stone. I'm willing to bet the same is true for other kit home companies, as well.

Typically, the masonry was NOT included in the kit (due to shipping costs) but was purchased by the homebuyer locally. Sears would tell you precisely how much block or brick you needed to purchase. In fact, the Chelsea (a big foursquare) required 1300 cinderblocks just for the basement (according to an old inventory list from Sears).

However, the date is problematic. According to Dale Wolicki's research, MWard started selling kit homes around 1910, so your house would need to be a little older than 1910. Sears issued their first Sears Modern Homes catalog in 1908 but didn't sell that fist kit until 1909.

So, if the same is true for Wards, they probably weren't selling many houses in 1910. PROBABLY. It's hard to be certain.

Rose Thornton