Sears Argyle in Deerfield

Driving from lunch at the Chipotle in Deerfield, I came across a lovely Sears Argyle right across the street. Original windows, original wood shingle siding--you don't often see Sears homes in such pristine condition.

820 Rosemary Terrace, Deerfield

The Argyle was built by Peter N. Perry and his wife, Laura in 1925 or 1926. Peter was a carpenter by trade, and around that time he was working as a building contractor.

The house has a reversed floor plan. Sears would offer that as an option for customers for no extra charge.

The house, around 1926. The man under the dining room windows is likely Peter Perry. The car in the driveway is a 1925 Essex coupe, which helps to date the photo. Photo courtesy of John Cameron.

Peter and Laura built the Argyle together, according to this article in the Libertyville Independent in 1928.

Peter died in 1932 and Laura died in 1943. Their daughter, Sadie Beckman, and her husband, Edwin Beckman, moved into the house after Laura's death. Sadie lived in the house until her death in 1966.

Rosemary Terrace in an undated photograph. The Argyle is the first house. Photo courtesy of John Cameron.

The Argyle is authenticated by means of a Sears Roebuck shipping label. Photo courtesy of Jane Del Greco.

The Original "Christmas Story" and a Sears House Fiasco

People are up in arms over the direct-to-DVD release of "A Christmas Story 2".  However, did you know that the first "A Christmas Story" was itself a remake?

Ralphie, his Old Man, and the rest of the family were featured in a PBS movie from 1976 called "Phantom of the Open Hearth". Like "A Christmas Story", "Phantom" was also written and narrated by humorist Jean Shepherd. "Phantom" even includes the tale of the infamous leg lamp.

Another tale featured in "Phantom" is based on a short story from Shepherd. In it, one of Ralphie's neighbors announces: "I ordered a house from Sears and Roebuck!"  He gets all the beer-drinking neighborhood men to come to the rail yard to help him unload the building materials from two boxcars. 

The men bring their beer along, unload the boxes from the train, and start opening up the boxes. Suddenly, it starts to downpour and everyone leaves, except the poor homeowner. He stands soaking wet among the house parts strewn everywhere, piteously begging for help.

The Sears house section is at the 13.00 mark.

Happy Holidays and see you in the new year!