Everyone's Favorite... the Sears Alhambra

The Alhambra is a wildly popular foursquare model. It was offered for 12 years in the Sears Modern Homes catalogs. My website gets many visits from people looking for a photo of one. It's one of my favorite Sears houses too.

2734 Roslyn Lane, Highland Park.

The Sears Alhambra, from the 1921 Modern Homes catalog.

This authenticated Sears Alhambra in Highland Park was built in 1922, and "Sears Roebuck" is listed as the architect on the building permit. It was designated a landmark by the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission in 1991. 

The house looks much like the catalog illustration, except the parapet over the front porch has been removed.

The original owners were Harry J. Carlson, his wife Ruth, and their two kids. Harry worked as an interior decorator at the time the house was constructed. They lived in the house until at least 1940.

Because I love the macabre, I must also mention that a woman was murdered in the house. In 1973, Lily Mae Walker was fatally shot and her husband George was shot in the mouth and leg during an argument with George's brother.

A Sad Sears Osborn in Roseland

Chicago cops will tell you Roseland is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city. The Far South Side community has problems with unemployment, poverty, gangs, and prostitution. There are frequent news stories about the gun violence in Roseland. 

However, the residential architecture speaks to the fact that at one time Roseland was a thriving area. Take, for instance, this Sears Osborn. It is a mess today, but as recently as 10 years ago it was an cozy Craftsman bungalow.

602 W. 115th St., Chicago. House in the mid-2000's. Still looking good! Photo courtesy of Jerry Pittman's Chicago.

Sears Osborn. Sears said that the Osborn "will appeal to the lover of nature" because of the three porches (one on the rear of the house).

 

This Sears Osborn was built in 1918 or 1919 by Henry Heath, a local carpenter, and his wife, Maud. The Heaths lived in the house until at least 1923. 

By 1928, the residents were Ralph H. and Isabelle Coe. When Ralph listed the Osborn for sale in 1943, the real estate ad called it "Roseland's most distinctive bungalow."

The house changed hands a few times in subsequent years. Dr. Angelo Ravasi, a noted surgeon, and his wife Rosa owned the house from the mid-1950's until 1976 when Rosa passed away.

Photo of the house taken during an architectural survey in the early 1970's.

 

Around 1979, Carolyn Glass moved into the house. She lived there until 2006 when she sold, fearing for her safety.

The house went into foreclosure in December 2012.

 The front porch today.

View of the dining room door. The Osborn had two styles of pillars.

The living room today.

The living room of the Osborn as featured in the 1918 catalog.

Beautiful front door is still there.

The architect of the Osborn is Andrew F. Hughes.

Update!

Things have gotten worse for the Osborn, and the latest real estate photos tell the tale.
 

Photo from Realtor site.

Photo from Realtor site.

 

Photo from Realtor site.

Photo from Realtor site.

 

Photo from Realtor site.

 

Sears Sheridan

144 N. Hager Avenue, Barrington. Photo courtesy of Wende Dau.

Sears Sheridan from the 1928 catalog. If only all catalog houses were this easy to identify!

Another angle. This Sheridan had its porch enclosed and I don't believe the fireplace was original. Photo courtesy of Wende Dau.

This is an authenticated Sears Sheridan in Barrington. The house was built in 1927. The original residents were Arthur L. Waggoner, his wife Cora, and their four kids. Arthur worked as a carpenter for the railroad. Arthur got a mortgage for $6700 from Sears.

The current owners noticed stamps on some of the lumber. The single letter followed by a three-digit number ("A388") is a hallmark of Sears houses. The stamped codes helped the builders determine what piece went where.

Stamped lumber. Photo courtesy of Wende Dau.

Photo courtesy of Wende Dau.