With the modern technology, you can get almost anything sitting at home. During 1900s, people had to resort to mail-order catalogs through which they could even order homes.
Sears that was America’s largest retailer once used to sell homes by catalogs. However, since the parent company filed for bankruptcy, everyone is lamenting its end.
Andrew Mutch, one of its customers said,
You realize you live in an example of what Sears was able to accomplish back in the day when they were the biggest catalog seller in the country.
Sears began with selling jewelry and watches through catalogs and later on houses were also added to the catalog. In 1908, the Sears Modern Homes catalog first came out and it offered its customers blueprints and material needed for building home. Then, you could either hire a contractor or build your home on your own. Sears sold around 70,000-75,000 houses before it was discontinued.
You would order everything from your light fixtures, to your lamp, [the wall covering], kitchen cabinets, the whole thing, whether you get a garage or not. And then it just shipped to you.
It is estimated that around 70% Sears houses are still standing. The homes cost between a few hundred to thousand dollars.
Eric Romain also owns a Vallonia model in Royal Oak, Mich. He said,
I can drive five minutes, or I can ride my bike and see six different model homes that are identical to mine. Being middle class and being able to go buy and own a home that you can build with your own hands makes the houses special.
In 2003, Mutch ordered a Hamilton-style home in Novi, Mich. It belonged to the 1908’s Modern Homes catalog. He even purchased a housewarming gift from the owners which was a binder of information regarding Sears homes.
Source: National Public Radio, Peak News 24
