The Snowy Sears Homes of Lombard

Lombard has almost 60 Sears houses at last count. I trudged through the snow to get some updated photos so that you can sample the Sears houses of this Western suburb from the comfort of your home.

Sears Sunlight

324 S. Grace, Lombard. This is an authentic Sears Sunlight built in 1925. John X. Browne spent $3,300 to build it.

Sears Sunlight.

Sears Conway

36 N. Ahrens, Lombard. This authentic Sears Conway was built in 1926 for $4,400.

Sears Conway.

Sears Claremont

209 E. Madison, Lombard.

Sears Claremont.

Sears Hathaway

216 E. Maple, Lombard.

Sears Hathaway.

Sears Crescent

22 N. Elizabeth, Lombard.

Sears Elmwood

314 S. Stewart, Lombard.

Sears Elmwood.

Sears Hamilton

506 W. Maple, Lombard. This authentic Sears Hamilton was purchased in November 1924 for $3,300. This would mean it was one of the first Hamiltons built in the Chicago area. 

Sears Hamilton.

Porch column detail. Photo courtesy of the Lombard Historical Society.

Shipping label inside the house. The house was shipped to Don Vandercook. Photo courtesy of the Lombard Historical Society.

Sears Mitchell

1123 E. Woodrow, Lombard.

Sears Mitchell.

Sears Vallonia

421 S. Lombard, Lombard. This authentic Sears Vallonia was sold for $2,500 in 1921.

Sears Vallonia.

Special thanks to Jean Crockett of the Lombard Historical Society for her research assistance.

A Sampling of Kit Houses of Lombard

A few weeks ago, I featured a Sears house in Lombard that I found, but that is not the only one! Lombard has dozens of Sears houses and even more from Harris Brothers and the other kit home manufacturers.

Jean Crockett of the Lombard Historical Society was kind enough to send me some photos which are just a small sampling of the kit houses in town.

162 S. Grace, Lombard. Photo courtesy of Jean Cooper.

Sears Salem.

235 W. Harrison, Lombard. Photo courtesy of Realtor site.

Sears Sunlight from 1927.

330 S. Ahrens, Lombard. Photo courtesy of Jean Cooper.

 

Harris Home No. 1502. 

 

724 S. Charlotte, Lombard. House built in 1934 by Stephen Zeisel. Photo courtesy of Jean Cooper. 

 

Sears Bridgeport from the 1936 catalog. Before 1933, the Bridgeport was called the Wexford.

 

Got $223? You can stay in this Sears Hamilton.

506 W. Maple, Lombard.

Sears Hamilton.

This authenticated Sears Hamilton in Lombard is obscured by trees on a big lot. The Hamilton is a small cottage with jerkinhead (clipped) dormers, sold from 1922-1930. That distinguishing bumpout for the dining room is not visible in photos.

Sears Homes of Chicagoland reader (and Lombard Historical Society past president) Leslie Sulla recently emailed me to let me know that this Hamilton is an Airbnb. Let's go inside!

Photo from Airbnb.

Photo from Airbnb.

Windows flank the fireplace. Photo from Airbnb.

"Sunlight comes in the window during the day and in the evening the fireplace flickers on the hearth. There is an air of fellowship that makes this a real home."

Photo from Airbnb.

Photo from Airbnb.

"This dining room breathes an air of hospitality, so dear to the heart of every home lover."

Photo from Airbnb.

The Hamilton featured a teeny breakfast alcove. Photo from Airbnb.

"A spotless kitchen! There is a place for every kitchen need in these kitchen cabinets. Saves hundreds of steps in the daily preparation of meals."

"The colorful built-in breakfast room appeals to the family. Eating here in the morning adds zest to the meal."

Photo from Airbnb.

Photo from Airbnb.

Don Vandercook bought the Hamilton for $3,300, and got the financing from Sears Roebuck in November 1924. Don worked as a furniture designer for the Kroehler Furniture Manufacturing Company and also for the Chittenden and Eastman Company of Iowa.

Shipping label showing the materials to be sent to Don Vandercook. Photo courtesy of Jean Crockett of the Lombard Historical Society.

Detail on the front porch pillars. Photo courtesy of Jean Crockett of the Lombard Historical Society.

Old real estate listings. One mentions that the house is from Sears. Photo courtesy of Jean Crockett of the Lombard Historical Society.