This is the Way a Sears Winona is Supposed to Look

It's so refreshing when you come across a Sears bungalow that hasn't lost its original charm after 90 years. This Sears Winona in Aurora exemplifies why Sears houses were so popular with American consumers in the 1920's.

228 S. Commonwealth, Aurora. Photo from Realtor site.

Sears Winona.

Photo from Realtor site.

Closeup of the original brackets from Sears.

Photo from Realtor site.

Photo from Realtor site.

Photo from Realtor site.

The city of Aurora has authenticated many of the Sears houses by cross-checking which properties had mortgages from Sears Roebuck. Aurora does not have this Winona on their list, which means the original homeowner either paid cash for the house (about $1800), or got a loan from a local bank rather than Sears.

The first time I see the house in the city directory is 1929, with the occupant Betty Williams, a widow.