ELGIN HERITAGE COMMISSION Tuesday, June 5, 2018 7:00pm

City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor North Tower 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120

AGENDA A. Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call

B. Approval of Minutes 1. April 3, 2018

C. Recognize Persons Present

D. Plaque Applications 1. 101 Monroe Avenue

E. Old Business 1. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities 2. 2018 Elgin Heritage Commission Goals a. Directional Signage, 2018 (a) Update b. Historic Resources Survey (a) Update c. Web Based App (a) Photographs/Audio (i) Update d. Elgin Historic District and Landmark Design Guidelines (a) No update e. Preservation Month Recap (a) Participants at each event (b) Thank you to all volunteers – Mayor’s Awards

F. New Business 1. Review Hanover Township signage for Civil War General John S. Wilcox at Bluff City Cemetery (Thomas Kuttenberg) 2. Presentation on update to 1999 Mail Order House Research by Rebecca Hunter 3. EHC Appointments/Term Expirations

G. Other Business

H. Adjournment THE CITY OF ELGIN IS SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING AND WHO REQUIRED CERTAIN ACCOMMODATIONS IN ORDER TO ALLOW THEM TO OBSERVE AND/OR PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING, OR WHO HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THE MEETING OR THE FACILITIES, ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, ADA COORDINATOR AT (847) 931-5620 {TDD (847) 931-5616} PROMPTLY TO ALLOW THE CITY OF ELGIN TO MAKE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE PERSONS. City of Elgin Elgin Heritage Commission April 3, 2018

Proposed Minutes

A. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers by Chairman John Wiedmeyer.

1. Members Present: Brian Anderson, Kimberly Bauer, John Marston, Scott Savel, Judith Van Dusen, Tom Krebsbach, George Rowe and John Wiedmeyer

2. Members Absent: Steven Thoren

3. Others Present: None

4. City Staff Present: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner

B. Approval of Minutes: 1. A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to approve the March 6, 2018 minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Anderson. The motion passed 7-0-1 (Krebsbach abstained).

C. Recognize Persons Present: None

D. Plaque applications: 1. None

E. Old Business 1. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities a. Commissioner Rowe announced that recently, on March 31st, there was a volunteer cleanup at the Nancy Kimball House located at 302 W. Chicago Street. He anticipates that there may be another cleanup day prior to the Open Elgin event to be held on Saturday, April 21st. b. Commissioner Rowe shared historic images from Fire Barn No. 5, one of which included a rare image of the Elgin Tower Building being constructed. c. Commissioner Anderson reminded everyone of the upcoming Mid-Century Bike Tour that will be held on May 10th as one of the Preservation Month events. d. Commissioner Bauer stated that the Schweikher House, located in Schaumburg, was recently mentioned in a blog post by the National Trust. Bauer is the historian for the house museum.

2. 2018 Elgin Heritage Commission Goals a. Historic District Signage No update Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 2 April 3, 2018

b. Historic Resources Survey No update c. Web Based App a) Photographs: Due to the weather, the Commissioners were not able to fully complete the photographs for the website but will do so by the June meeting. d. Elgin Historic District and Landmark Design Guidelines No update

3. Preservation Month Planning a) Staff provided a list of events for Preservation Month to the Commissioners. The Commission noted that there is a large variety of events this year, of which they are excited to attend.

4. Mayor’s Award Planning a. Staff went through the day of the event timing with the Commissioners and asked them to be at the gymnasium no later than 5PM that day to help set up. This includes setting up chairs, tables, architectural boards from the Elgin History Museum as well as the directional signage for the attendees.

F. New Business a. Presentation on update of 1999 Mail Order House Research by Rebecca Hunter a) Rebecca was unable to attend the meeting to present her findings but noted that she will do so at the next Heritage Commission meeting in June. b. Advertisement: Bravo Magazine a) Staff asked the Commissioners if they’d like to submit an advertisement for Preservation Month as they did the previous year. The amount of the advertisement would not exceed $120. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to fund an advertisement in Bravo Magazine for Preservation Month not to exceed an amount of $120. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rowe. The motion passed unanimously. c. Plaques to be Made a) Staff stated that there will need to be two Heritage Plaques and one Sears, Roebuck and Company plaque to be made prior to May 1, 2018. A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to approve funding the plaques that will be presented at the Mayor’s Awards in an amount not to exceed $95. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach. The motion passed unanimously. d. Historic Rehabilitation Grant Review a) The commission agreed to meet after the regular scheduled Design Review meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 10th for the review of the submitted applications for the Historic Rehabilitation Grant Program. Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 3 April 3, 2018

G. Other Business 1. Staff reminded the commission of the upcoming Open Elgin event to be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 1:00PM – 5:00PM.

H. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bauer and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner Community Development Department

Approved: Scoring Guidelines for Heritage Commission Plaque Applications

Introduction

The Elgin Heritage Commission plaque program recognizes buildings with both historic and architectural merit. The program is intended to promote preservation and awareness of Elgin’s past. The plaque is an acknowledgment of the owner’s efforts to research and document the building’s history and to maintain these structures as worthy examples of architectural style. The buildings and owners which receive plaques serve as role models for the larger community to emulate. The buildings become “reference books” for use in teaching others about our architectural and cultural heritage.

There are a large number of “kit” or “catalog” homes in Elgin. These buildings were originally constructed using precut lumber and other materials largely supplied by a single source. The buildings were marketed through catalogs and sold by Sears, Roebuck and Company and other firms. The Heritage Commission plaque program recognizes these homes with a special plaque that documents the name of the original owner, the date of construction and the model name.

The following guidelines help to delineate the criteria used to evaluate a building and merit receiving the special status of being awarded a plaque.

Scoring Guidelines

The scoring guidelines use three indices to assess an application. These cover the following considerations: 1. Architectural Considerations 2. Historical Considerations 3. Maintenance Considerations

Each of these indices has a point scale from 0 to 10. To receive a plaque, an applicant must score 6 or higher on each of three indices. In addition, the building must have been constructed more than fifty years ago.

Architectural Considerations

10 - A superior example of an established architectural style. The key elements of the style are both present and well executed in the design. There is no, or very little, evidence of architectural details, or other features (such as antennas, mail boxes, storm doors/windows, gutters/down spouts, etc.) that are inconsistent with the style or original appearance of the building. This score maybe awarded to an exceptionally well executed building of vernacular design, if all the architectural details and other features are consistent with period in which it was built. From the exterior, the building appears to be in original, as built, condition.

8 - A very good example of an established architectural style or vernacular design. The building may have alterations from its original appearance, such as additions, modified porches, changes to the windows, or missing architectural elements, etc., if these are changes are consistent with the overall style of the building, or, if not consistent, they have minimal impact on the building’s appearance.

6 - A good example of an established architectural style or vernacular design. Alterations maybe present but do not substantially obscure or compromise the style or original design of the building. Examples of these alternations may include additions or changes to the porches that are not consistent with the original design; Use of substitute siding in soffits and fascia; Use of substitute siding if the appearance and exposure of the siding is consistent with the original look and other details, such as corner boards, window/door moldings, etc. are present and appropriate to the style of the building.

4 - A fair example of an established architectural style or vernacular design. Alterations are present and while not entirely compromising the original design they noticeably detract from the original appearance. Examples of these detracting features are: Key architectural elements of the style are missing or no longer visible; Additions and alterations are not in character with the original style or age of the building; The use of substitute siding has obscured corner boards, window/door moldings, etc. The design or application of substitute siding is not consistent with that used when the building was constructed, for example, excessively wide exposures, or ship-lap, or board and batten profiles. Or, the color scheme greatly varies from those typical of the era in which the building was constructed.

2 - A poor example of an established architectural style or vernacular design. The building may have had very little architectural merit when constructed. Or, the building may have had subsequent additions and alterations which not consistent with the age of the building or have obscured many of the original architectural details. Or, the building has substitute siding made from asbestos, asphalt or a tar paper based products.

Historical Considerations

10 - A building associated with one or more individuals who played a leading role in Elgin’s history (e.g., significant community leaders, business persons, artists, educators, builders/tradesmen, etc.) Or, a building that was the site of one or more significant historic events. Or, a building that by virtue of its use over time for either residential, commercial, institutional or industrial purposes, was associated with of a very large number of citizens. Or, a building that has a significant symbolic connection with city’s identity (e.g., the Tower Building, Observatory, high schools, colleges, major institutions, prominent religious, commercial or public buildings.)

8 - A building associated with one or more persons who were representative of Elgin’s history but may not merit individual attention in an historical account, (e.g., watch workers, early settlers, small business operators, professionals, minor community leaders, etc.). Or, a building which was the site of one or more minor historic events. Or, a building that by virtue of its use over time was associated with many citizens (e.g., large churches, smaller size schools, public or commercial buildings). Or, a building that has some notable connection with the city’s identity (e.g., Teeple barn, Armory, Professional Building, etc.).

6 - A building that is typical of the era in which it was constructed, or representative of larger developments (e.g., a home in specific subdivision or area which was developed more or less as a whole). Or, a building that was used over a number of years by small groups of citizens (e.g., small churches, private clubs, etc.). Or, a building that was associated with one family for a long period of time. Or, a building that has some association with the city’s identity (e.g. in a prominent or landmark location).

4 - A building which contributes only to a small degree to the larger historical context of the area in which it exists.

2 - A building not associated with any of the historical or cultural conditions above. Or, while of an age eligible to receive a plaque, exists in isolation from a larger historical context (e.g., an in fill building from an era different than its surrounding structures).

Maintenance Considerations

10 - An exceptionally well maintained building showing virtually no signs of deterioration or in need of immediate maintenance or care. The surrounding landscape is also well maintained and complimentary to the building.

8 - A very well maintained building that may show some minor indications of needing periodic maintenance, such as, touch up paint, small scale tuck pointing, very minor carpentry work, etc. The surrounding landscape is nicely maintained.

6 - An adequately maintained building that may be in need of periodic maintenance such as minor painting, simple carpentry work, or repair/replacement of some secondary features such as gutters, screens, smaller size decorative elements which do not greatly detract from the overall appearance of the building. The surrounding landscape is adequately maintained.

4 - A building noticeably in need of periodic maintenance which may include large areas of faded or peeling paint, worn out stairs, porches, siding or roofs, broken windows or doors, damaged or obviously missing architectural elements, etc. And/or, the surrounding landscape is poorly maintained and is such a condition that it noticeably detracts from the building’s appearances.

2 - A building in poor repair. One or more major areas needing immediate attention to prevent further rapid deterioration of the overall structure. And/or, the landscaping is in very poor condition, e.g. debris, overgrown vegetation, dead limbs or plants or large numbers of weeds. Heritage Building Plaque Application Name: Winifred and Robert Adkins House Building Address: 101 Monroe Street Building Name (for public/commercial structures only): Current Owners: Matt and Angela Whitehorn Street: 101 Monroe Daytime Phone: City: Elgin State: IL Zip: 60123 Email Address: If different than above: Applicant’s Name: Tom Krebsbach Daytime Phone: 847 622-TOMK Address: 162 S State City: Elgin State: IL Zip: 60123 Email address: [email protected]

Original Owner: Winifred and Robert Adkins Date of Construction: 1908 Architect (if known) Builder (if known): John and Arthur Kenyon

Please attach the following information: 1. Statement of Value: This statement should include a narrative description of the historical and architectural value of the building. 2. Photocopies of relevant research materials including but not limited to, Sanborn Maps, City Directories and original property deeds. See page 3 of the program guidelines for research locations. 3. Building Alterations: List any alterations to the exterior of the building. Attach copies of all building permit applications. 4. Photographs: Include a recent photograph in which the building is clearly visible. Additional photographs depicting close-up details of decorative features are helpful. Stipulations If the building is not awarded a plaque, the application fee will be refunded. This application and submitted materials shall be retained by the City of Elgin as a part of the permanent record of the building. The Elgin Heritage Commission has the authority to edit and publish the information submitted in the application. This does not prohibit others from using the information. When awarded, the plaque will remain with the building and should not be altered or removed from the building. It is the City’s responsibility to replace the plaque if or when the situation warrants it. In addition to the above stipulations, the undersigned attests that the information provided is, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate.

Owner’s Signature ______Date ______

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE In 1908, for $1600, John and his son Arthur Kenyon purchased lots 9 and 10 of Block 4 in Crighton Park Addition to Elgin. The Kenyon family were builders who constructed many homes in the near-west section of Elgin, including 115 N Commonwealth, 118, 231 and 270 Hamilton, 809, 815 and 873 Larkin, and 29 Monroe. Father and son John and Arthur were prolific builders, responsible for the construction of dozens of houses in Elgin, many on the near-west side. They built six houses in the 100 block of Monroe: 101, 105, 109, 102, 106 and 100. Other Kenyons who were builders in Elgin include John’s brother Albert, and Wallace Kenyon.

Carpenter and contractor John A. Kenyon, born April 4, 1856 in Elgin, married Sarah Pound in 1879. They lived in Elgin at 815 Larkin, and had three children, Arthur (b.1883), Lucie (b.1888) and Susie (b.1890). Sarah was born in Canada to Susan Phelps Pound and William Pound. She died in 1931. John’ parents, John C. and Frances Stevens Kenyon were born in New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. John died March 19, 1944 and is buried in Bluff City Cemetery.

Arthur J. Kenyon was born February 16, 1883 to Sarah Ann Pound Kenyon and John Alphonso Kenyon. He married Mary in 1908, and they had two daughters, Alice May (b. 1910) and Cora Lucille (1913-1960). The family lived at 109 Monroe and 55 N Commonwealth before settling at 1003 Larkin, where they lived from c. 1930 until c.1958. Arthur joined his father John in the building business. Arthur died September 9, 1959 and is buried in Bluff City Cemetery.

The first City Directory listing, in 1909-10, shows the occupant of 101 as George H. Schuette. Since there are no county records showing Schuette as on owner of this property, the assumption may by that he was a renter. In 1909, the Kenyons sold the property to Winifred Adkins, a piano teacher, and her husband Robert, D.D.S., who took out a mortgage for $800, and are listed at this address in the 1911-12 through 1925-26 City Directories.

Robert, born in England February 27, 1872, was a naturalized citizen, born to Mary Elizabeth Barber Adkins and Richard K. Adkins. In 1900, Robert lived at 638 Grace with his siblings while he was in dental school. He opened his office at 2-3 Hubbard Building in downtown Elgin. Winifred E. Boice Adkins, born in 1876, married Robert on October 21, 1907. Their son, Robert A., was born in 1910.

In 1926, Adkins transferred the property to George Saunders, who did not take out a mortgage (for $1000) until 1935 when he actually moved to 101 Monroe. George William Saunders (1863-1942) worked at the Watch Factory in 1890, and later as a brakeman. He retired in 1931. He married Catherine (Kittie) Jordan, whose parents Mary Doyle Jordan and John J. Jordan were both born in Ireland.

Alan C. and Jean Knights bought the property in 1948 with a mortgage of $8000. Alan was born March 3, 1908 in England to Arthur M. and Alice Mary Knights, and died May 16, 1990 in Seattle Washington. He was a salesman. Alan and Jean divorced in 1957, and Alan retained the property at 101 Monroe.

In 1974, David and Susan Fitchie bought the house for $15,000. He was a driver for Elgin Beverage Company.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Legal description Crighton Park Addition Block 4 south part of Lot 10 The subdivision was platted in 1888; surveyor was well-known Elgin architect W. W. Abell, who worked for the City of Elgin at that time. The Building Report in the Elgin Daily News for December 9, 1908, lists 3 houses built by the Kenyons at 101, 105 and 109 Monroe at a cost of $2500 each. The houses at 102, 106 and 110 Monroe were built the following year by the Kenyons at a cost of $2700 each.

The Kenyons bought 2 lots on each side of this block and subdivided them into 3 building lots each, to allow for a total of six houses. These are 2-story residences built on the same plan but evidencing differing architectural elements on the front elevations to provide variety to the streetscape. [See photos below]. Two additional homes built on the same plan by the Kenyons are 21 Hamilton and 49 N. Commonwealth.

The configuration of the house is American Foursquare, i.e. a two-story square structure with a hipped roof. The name derives from the fact that most such houses had four rooms on each story. These homes enjoyed popularity from the early 1900s well into the 1920s. Actually, the term “box house” was used at that time; “American Foursquare” was substituted later. Hipped-roof dormers such as those on the north and south elevations were common elements of foursquare homes. The triple dining room window on the south elevation adds interest. Inside, there is original woodwork. The house boasts a parlor window on the front elevation and diamond pane glass on the dormers, as do all five of the other Kenyon homes on this block. The house has a paucity of stylistic detailing, hence the term vernacular would seem to apply. The triangular closed roof pediment on the west elevation features a decorative half-moon Colonial Revival style window. To be consistent with this style, the porch ideally would have round columns such as those on 110, 109 and 106 Monroe. The house was rated “contributing” on the Elgin Historic Survey, with the suggestion that porch restoration would increase the rating to “significant”.

ALTERATIONS The porch was rebuilt in 1975, to a design inconsistent with the original architecture.

The following permits are on file with the City of Elgin 1939 Residential card, indicating a two-story single-family house with garage. 1936[?] Re-roof 1939 repairs 1972 Electric service revision 1975 Add powder room 1975 Rebuild porch 1980 Fence and soffits

Addenda Photos of house Deeds 1909, 1935 and 1948 Survey pages Subdivision plat map Sanborn fire insurance map 1950 City directory pages

Gable 101 Monroe Dormer 101 Monroe

Gable 106 Monroe Gable 110 Monroe

Front elevation 102 Monroe Front elevation 109 Monroe

Deed 1909

Deed 1935

Deed 1948

Plat map of Crighton Park 1888

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map 1950 Revision

City Directory 1909-10

City Directory 1911-12

DESIGNDesign Board 12

Proposed Sign: 9”H X 36”W

downtown commercial historic district

144 ft 144 ft ADDITIONAL SURVEY AREA IF TIME ALLOWS

144 ft MIDWEST NEIGHBORHOOD City of ELGIN ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL SURVEY 2018/2019

STREET # 537 DIRECTION W STREET Chicago

ABB/UNIT St PIN

ADDITIONAL PIN

LOCAL SIGNIFICANCE RATING -- POTENTIAL IND NR? (Y or N) -- CRITERIA -- CONTRIBUTING TO A NR DISTRICT? --

CONTRIBUTING SECONDARY -- STRUCTURE?

LISTED ON ORIGINAL NATIONAL -- REGISTER SURVEY

PHOTO CREDIT:

GENERAL INFORMATION

CATEGORY -- CURRENT FUNCTION -- CONDITION -- HISTORIC FUNCTION -- INTEGRITY -- REASON for SECONDARY STRUCTURE -- SIGNIFICANCE SECONDARY STRUCTURE --

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION

ARCHITECTURAL CLASSIFICATION -- PLAN -- DETAILS NUMBER OF STORIES

DATE OF CONSTRUCTION ROOF TYPE -- Circa OTHER YEAR ROOF MATERIAL Circa --

DATE SOURCE FOUNDATION -- WALL MATERIAL (current) -- PORCH -- WALL MATERIAL 2 (current) -- WINDOW MATERIAL -- WALL MATERIAL (original) WINDOW MATERIAL -- -- WALL MATERIAL 2 (original) -- WINDOW TYPE -- WINDOW CONFIG

SIGNFICANT FEATURES

ALTERATIONS MIDWEST NEIGHBORHOOD City of ELGIN ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL SURVEY 2018/2019

HISTORIC INFORMATION

HISTORIC NAME

COMMON NAME

PERMITS

COST

ARCHITECT

ARCHITECT SOURCE

BUILDER

HISTORIC INFO

PHOTO CREDIT:

LANDSCAPE

PREPARER

PREPARER ORGANIZATION

SURVEY DATE

SURVEY AREA Midwest Neighborhood FORM STATUS

PHOTO CREDIT:

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ELGIN ILLINOIS

SEARS HOUSE

RESEARCH

PROJECT

By Rebecca Hunter, M.A.

Sponsored by the Elgin Illinois Heritage Commission

Second Edition November 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

PRIMARY DATA SHEETS FOR EACH HOUSE INVESTIGATED

APPENDICES Reproductions of catalog pages showing each model found in Elgin Homes listed according to street address. Homes listed according to model name. Homes listed according to approximate date of construction. Homes listed according to last name of first owner. Homes listed according to occupation of first owner.

BIBLIOGRAPHY ELGIN ILLINOIS SEARS HOUSE RESEARCH PROJECT: INTRODUCTION

In 1997, little was known abont Sears Roebuck mail order homes in Elgin, Illinois. One such house had been identified, a "Crescent" model on River Bluff Avenue. Few people realized that the "Crescent" was only one of over 400 models sold by Sears from 1908 to 1940. No one suspected that over 200 Sears homes would eventually be identified in Elgin, along with mail order homes from six other companies, Gordon-Van Tine, Aladdin, Harris Brothers, Lewis, Sterling and Montgomery Wards.

HISTORY OF SEARS' ROLE IN THE HOUSING INDUSTRY What is a Sears house? The definition changed over time. Initially, Sears offered building plans and provided bulk lumber to build them. By 1915, Sears was following the lead of other companies such as Aladdin Company of Bay City Michigan, and offering "Ready Cut" homes as well as plans and materials. Ready-cut, also known as kit or precut homes, were welcomed by home buyers, who realized savings of up to 30% over the cost of standard construction. The primary savings was because they did not have to pay a carpenter to measure and cut each board, nor did the buyer have to pay for design and blueprint services, shop for hardware,windows, doors or roofing materials.

Buildings manufactured by Sears were for the most part one, one and a half or two story single family dwellings, but also included dnplexes, four-flat buildings, barns, agricultural outbuildings and garages. Architectural styles included Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Dutch Colonial, English Tudor Revival, Victorian, Mission, Spanish Revival and Prairie. Thousands of these "Modern Homes" were sold throughout the country, to individuals as well as to corporations such as the Standard Oil Company in Carlinville Illinois, which purchased 192 homes to provide housing for their mine workers.

Costs listed in the catalogs ranged from $146.25 for a two room vacation cottage (no bath) in 1911, to $5,927 for a 2.5 story, 8 room, 2.5 bath 1921 copy of George Washington's Cambridge Massachusetts residence. Catalog prices included only the building materials. The actual costs are approximately double the catalog prices, to allow for purchase of the lot, the foundation and the labor to assemble the house. Plumbing, lighting, heating fixtures, storm windows and screens were available at additional cost. Of course, there were many options available to upgrade a house, such as cherry woodwork, asphalt roof shingles (cedar was standard, and less costly!), built-in cabinetry, oak flooring throughout, and crown moldings.

By far the most popular homes were the line of "Honor Bilt" precut homes, made from top quality materials and state-of-the-art construction design. These were sold from 1915 until the demise of the Modern Homes Division in 1940. In addition, Sears published a 1916 catalog of partially prefabricated "Econo-bilt" vacation homes and cottages, shipped in four-foot wide sections which were then bolted together at the building site. In the early 1920'S, they offered a line of "Standard Bilt" homes, most of which were the same designs as Honor Bilt homes, using smaller boards spaced farther apart.

Sears home sales peaked in 1928, declining through the Great Depression. Sears lost over 8 million dollars in unpaid mortgages, so in 1933 Sears considered closing its Modern Homes Division, but instead revamped the program, discontinuing financing, simplifying designs, reducing the number of designs offered each year, and using less costly constrnction materials. These strategies proved unsuccessful, and in 1940 Sears closed its Modern Homes Division.

In 1946, Sears again entered the housing market, offering a plan book of substantial ranch style homes, not precut. Sears housing activities of 1947-48 are as yet unknown. In 1949 and in 1951, Sears, using the trade name "Homart", published catalogs aimed at the do-it-yourself market offering 12 small, simple prefabricated homes which were essentially variations on a single theme.

Mail order homes, including those from Sears, constitute an important part of the nation's architectural heritage, because it appears that the United States was the only country worldwide to conceive of and produce precut homes. These are thus another example of the famed Yankee ingenuity.

THE CURRENT RESEARCH STUDY The landmark book Houses by Mail had been published in 1986, compiling catalog pages from approximately 25 Sears Modern Homes catalogs from various years. No data was available for five of the years during which Sears sold its Modern Homes. The information in the book was based primarily on information gleaned from catalogs, and not on information obtained from the actnal houses. As a foundation for the current study, Houses by Mail was an excellent resource. Aside from this work, the only pubished books available on Sears homes were two reproductions of Modern Homes catalogs: 1926 and 1912, and segments about Sears homes in the book America's Fayorite Homes.

In the case of locating Sears homes, researchers are entirely reliant on their ability to drive street-by-street in likely areas, attempting to match existing homes with images in the Modern Homes catalogs. No sales records are still in existence at Sears Roebuck and Company.

The current study was initiated in 1997, when I approached the Elgin Heritage Commission with a list of seventy homes in Elgin which appeared to match images in the Sears home catalogs. With funding from the Heritage Commission, a complete survey was undertaken. By 1999, 180 homes were identified as being from Sears. Subsequent research brought the estimated number of Sears homes as high as 221. Houses which were deleted could not be authenicated or proved to be from other mail order companies.

AUTHENTICATION As the study progressed, it became apparent that selection based on visual identification alone was insuffucient to positively identify a Sears house. Sears, and other mail order homes, were copied from the most popular styles of a given year. Most had no outstanding or unusual features which made them essentially different from auy other home built during the same time period. Identical styles, construction materials and technologies were used. When I examined catalogs from other mail order companies, I discovered that some models made by two different companies were so close as to be indistinguishable from the street. Clearly, some additional documentation was necessary.

After initial identification of the target homes, current homeowners were contacted and asked to complete a questionnaire to provide any known history of the home. They were instructed how to search for part numbers which can be seen post-construction. Approximate dates of construction were obtained from listings iu Elgin City Directories and compared to known years during which each model was sold by Sears. Assuming that Sears would only reposess one of its own homes which it had financed, county grantor-grantee records were searched to obtain information about homes reposessed and/or resold by Sears during the depression. Local residents and historians were consulted to obtaiu their knowledge of Sears homes in Elgin.

Since most of Elgin's mail order homes were built after 1915, the documentation easiest to obtain turned out to be precut part numbers stamped in ink on structural boards such as joists, rafters, stair treads and risers, and wall studs. A few home owners still had original blueprints, order forms, and other correspondence from Sears. Sixteen were reposessed by Sears during the depression when owners defaulted on loan payments, including one addition on an older home, and one concrete block home which does not match any existing catalog images. In the case of the few homes in which part numbers were not visible, either because they were not precut, or because the numbers were obscured by paint or finishing of basements or attics, interior details were analyzed. These included room layout, room dimensions, hardware, doors and windows, built in cabinets, Sears shipping labels on trim boards, and original light fixtures. When exterior appearance matched catalog images and when most of the above matched items found in Sears building materials catalogs, I concluded that these are iudeed Sears homes. As authentication was otained and unauthenticated homes were dropped from the list, the total number dropped to 209 in 2004. 37 unauthenticated homes remain on the list in 2004. Interior details are still needed to determine which of these are actually the Sears homes they appear to be. DOES ELGIN HAVE THE MOST SEARS HOMES?

Of communities surveyed to date, Elgin appears to have the highest number of authenticated Sears homes, even more than Carlinville's 152. However, it is premature to determine which community has the most Sears homes. This is because no surveys and no research have been done in the vast majority of communities nationwide. Even in Illinois, only a handful of communities have made efforts to identify and authenticate their mail order homes. Thus, the current study is a pioneer effort, and can serve as a model for other communities which wish to document their heritage of mail order homes.

Why are there so many Sears homes in 'Elgin? The answer is speculative. Since parts for the homes were shipped by rail, towns which had major rail access are logical locations for mail order homes. Elgin was served by three major rail lines. Since mail order homes were marketed to the buyer of "modest means", towns which were experiencing major growth of the working class are logical target areas for such homes. Because buyers paid shipping on the house parts, towns with geographical proximity to suppliers of mail order homes are likely to have more such homes. Chicago was the headquarters not only of Sears but also of mail order home suppliers Harris Brothers and Montgomery Wards. Gordon-Van Tine Company was located in Davenport Iowa, Therefore, Elgin had geographical proximity to four major suppliers of mail order homes. The final factor which may explain the large number of Sears homes in Elgin may be "keeping up with the Joneses", or neighbor recommendations. Once one family buys a mail order home, neighbors, friends and relatives can see how well designed, sturdily built, and economically feasible such a home is, and they want one, too.

RELATED RESEARCH STUDIES In 2002-2004, the Elgin Heritage Commission sponsored a similar study, also by Rebecca Hunter, to examine mail order homes from companies other than Sears. "Beyond Sears: Elgin Illinois Mail Order Homes from Gordon-Van Tine, Aladdin, Harris Brothers, Lewis, Sterling and Montgomery Wards" is available at the Gail Borden Library and the Elgin Area Historical Society.

FUTURE RESEARCH Authentication is still needed for 37 Sears homes, as well as most ofthe non-Sears mail order homes. Anyone who has information about any of these homes is enouraged to contact Rebecca Hunter, 847 697-4551, or the Elgin Heritage Commission.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting descendants of original owners and previous owners of the properties. As properties change hands, new owners can be asked to search for part numbers. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

DATA FROM ELGIN ILLINOIS SEARS HOUSE RESEARCH PROJECT AS OF NOVEMBER 2004

Total number of homes identified: 211

Authenticated homes: 173

Number of models represented in Elgin: 72

Approximate dates of construction, based on data in Elgin City Directories. City directories were published every 2 years, so actual dates of construction may be one or two years earlier than those shown here: 1913-14 4 1915-16 0 1917-18 1 1919-20 0 1921-22 1 1923-24 13 1925-26 12 1927-28 68 1929-30 56 1931-32 30 1933-34 7 1935-36 1 1937-38 1 1939-40 0 1941-42 1 Total: 194 16 homes were located in unincorporated areas, so no city directory information is available.

SUMMARY OF OCCUPATIONS OF FIRST OWNERS, as listed in Elgin City Directories. Some owners had no occupation listed, including owners in unincorporated areas, for which no city directory information is available. Elgin Watch Factory 50 Building trades 27 Carpenter 5 Contractor 6 Mason 2 Electrician 3 Painter 5 Plumber 2 Cement contractor 2 Heating contractor 2

Appliances 3 Automotive, garage, gas station 12 Banking 1 Casket Co 1 Clerk 4 Driver 9 Farmer 1 Food service 4 Foundry 4 Grocery 7 Gravel Co. 2 Iron and Bolt 1 Illiois Watch Case 7 Insurance 1 Laundry 2 M.D. 1 Machinist 1 Manufacturing 3 Millwright 1 Municipal 8 Clerk 1 Fire Department 3 Letter carrier 1 Sanitation 2 Streets 1 Newspaper 3 Nursery 1 Publishing 2 Radio 1 Railroad 5 Recreation 1 Retired 1 Sales 5 Supervisory 3 Tailor 1 Tools 2 Utilities 2 Windmill 1 Yardman 1 BIBLIOGRAPHY ON MAIL ORDER HOMES Prepared by researcher Rebecc$! Hunter, 903 Cedar Av, Elgin IL 60120. 847 697-4551 BOOKS Chapa, James and Hunter, Rebecca. Fjeld Guide to Sears Homes. R.L. Hunter 2005. P.O. Box 608, Elgin IL 60121 Fetters, Thomas. The bustron Home. McFarland and Co, 60x 611, Jefferson NC 28640, 2002. Hunter, Rebecca. Beyond Sears; Elgin Illinois Mail Order Homes from Gordon-Yan Tine. Aladc:!in. Harris Brothers. Lewis. Sterling and Montgomery Wards Companies. 2004. Available from the Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin IL 847 742-2411 Hunter, Rebecca. Elgin Sears House Research project. 1999, 2nd ed. 2004. Available from the Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin IL. 847 742-2411 Hunter, Rebecca. Putting Sears Homes on the Map: A Compilation of Testimonials from Sears Modern Homes Catalogs J 908- J 940. R.L. Hunter 2004. P.O. Box 608, Elgin IL 60121 - Reiff, Danial D. Houses from Books. University Park PA: Philadelphia State UnivtH'sity Press 2000 Schweitzer, R and DaVis, M. W. R. America's Fayorite Homes: Mail Order Catalogues as a Guide to Popular Early 20th Century Houses. Wayne State University press, Detroit J 990 Stevenson, KC & H. W. JandL Houses By Mail. National Trust for Historic Preservation 1986. Order from John Wiley & Sons Inc, 605 3rd Av, New York NY 10158-0012, 800 225-5945. A compilation of catalog pages from many Sears house catalogs 1908-1939. Thornton, Rosemary. The Houses That Sears Built. Alton IL: Gentle Beam Publications, PO. Box 1392, Alton IL 62002 CAT AbOG REPRINTS 11 7 House Designs of the Twenties: Gordon-Van Tine Co. Dover Publications 1992 Aladdin "guilt in a Day" house catalog, 1917. Dover Publications 1 995 Homes in a Box: Modern Homes from Sears, Roebuck and Co. Schiffer Publishing, 1998 [1912 edition of the Sears Modern Homes catalog] Sears Roebuck Catalog of Houses 1926. Athenaeum & Dover Publications 1991 Sears Roebuck Homes of Today 1931. Athenaeum & Dover Publications 2003 Sears, Roebuck Home Builder's Catalog 1910 Edition. Dover Publications 1990 Company Model Address street First owner Sears mortgage Other proof

Sears Puritan 400 Adams Brown, G & L 1926 B813 p395 Sears Josephine 406 Adams Brown, Earl 1926 B813 p394 Sears Fullerton 418 Adams Gruns, J & E 1926 B835 Sears Rodessa 432 Adams Steve, I & A 1928 B835p445 Sears Lewiston 710 Adams Lutz, E 1929 B835 p243 Sears Rodessa 10N872 Airlite Atchison J & L 1928 B835p148 Ship labels Sears Wellington 31 N Aldine Townsend, W & F 1926 B835 p18 Pt #s Sears Crescent ? 7 S Aldine Holtgren, E & R no Sears Berwyn 104 S Aldine Kivitts, H & F 1929 B835p248 Sears Columbine 152 S Aldine Kienle, F 1929 B835 p232 Pt #s Sears Claremont 160 S Aldine Grisham, J & E 1928 B835p204 Pt #s Sears Sunlight 203 S Aldine Frank, J & M 1928 B835 p152 Pt #s Sears ? 266 S Aldine Wenzel, C & E 1928 B835 p205 Sears Vallonia 16 N Alfred Peterson, C 1927 B835 p68 Pt #s Sears Starlight 49 N Alfred Naker, C & A 1926 B813 p431 Sears Chelsea 3 S Alfred Royer, F & A no Sears Woodland 664 Algona Banwart, W & M 1927 B835 p81 Ship labels Sears Winona 412 Ann Arne, W 1925 B764 p689 Sears Addition 441 Ann Sears repo 193 Sears Mitchell 1033 Augusta Benedict, H & H Sears ? 1039 Augusta DeWitt, B 1926 B794 p613 Sears Crescent 1050 Bellevue Andrews, H 1926 B835 p54 Pt #s Sears Osborn 654 Bluff City Klinger, A & A 1923 B707 p593 Blueprints, Pt #s Sears Starlight 656 Bluff City Goldner, J 1922 B689 p608 Sears Park Ridge 670 Bluff City Rohles, H 1929 B835 p261 Blueprints Sears Crescent 832 Bode Sears ? 405 Brook Elmer and Margaret Hopp 1929 B835 p266 Sears Starlight 774 Buckeye Andresen, A & H 1928 B835 p187 Sears Crescent 833 Cedar Winchester, L & R 1927 B835 p63 Sears Gladstone 935 Cedar Timm, W & A 1926 B835 p24 Sears Ardara 1011 Cedar Kracteberg, I/Miller, W & I 1926 B811 p523 Sears Newcastle 1195 Cedar Ave Wards mtg Sears Elmwood 155 N Channing Cassidy, J Sears Starlight 645 Chester DeWald, C & M 1928 B835 p198 Sears Lewiston 1121 W Chicago Urie, F 1931 B835 p309A Sears Americus 1577 E Chicago Leatherman, I Pt #s, ship laberl Sears Sunlight 463 Clark Eisenmann, E 1927 Sears Starlight 471 Clark Sears Jeanette 517 Clark Weber, J & M 1931 B835 p301 Sears Sunlight 524 Clark Sullivan, S & E 1926 B813 p240 Sears Alpha 617 Cleveland Scott, W & N Pt #s, ship laberl Sears Hampton 621 Cleveland Swanson, C & A Sears Sunlight 631 Cleveland Gray, L & C Contract Sears Rodessa 7 N Clifton Rickert, G & G 1927 B835 p67 Sears Grant 216 N Clifton Brading 1929 B835 p263 Sears Josephine 31 S Clifton Dickman, W 1925 B776 p494 Sears Oakdale var 35 S Clifton Lewis, F 1926 B835 p11 Sears Rodessa 57 S Clifton Rahn, W & N Farnsworth?no 1929? Sears Wellington var. 267 S Clifton Nickel, E & H c.1929 Sears Berwyn 310 S Clifton Wenzel, 1928 B835 p206 Sears Elmwood 487 Columbia Sears Mitchell 375 N Commonwealth Huble, R & M 1928 B835p173 Pt #s Sears Concord 381 N Commonwealth Davis, C 1932 B968 p36 Sears Salem 165 S Commonwealth Saint, C & R no Blueprints Sears Starlight 441 Congdon Andrews, J 1928 Ship labels Sears Josephine 651 Congdon Burns, G & F 1928 B835 p144 Sears Claremont 673 Congdon Conrad, E 1929 B835 p251 Sears Betsy Ross 630 Congress Williams, E 1926 B813 p458 Ship labels Sears 630 Congress Johnson, H 1927 B835 p112 Sears Dundee 669 Congress Deihs, F no Sears Mitchell 545 Cookane Stickling, A & M Pt #s Sears Vallonia 635 Cookane Mooney, E & H Pt #s Sears Hampton 950 Cookane Kaptain, S & E 1926 B813 p416 Sears Rodessa 958 Cookane Kaptain, S & E 1926 B 835 P 61 Sears Uriel/Conway 244 Cooper Wright,F & L 1926 B 835 P3 Pt #s Sears Hampton 624 Cooper Kruse, M & E 1929 B835 p264 Sears Alhambra 53 S Crighton Perry, C 1928 B835 p199 BLueprints Sears Solace 7 S Dubois Brockner, R & L 1928 B835 p 178 Sears Willard 78 S Dubois Prusee, F Shales, W no Sears Willard var ? 82 S Dubois Lang B & F 1930 B835 p284 Sears Olivia 133 S Dubois Lawrence, H & L 1926 B 835 P 50 Sears ? 1185 Dundee Ave Brandt, A 1926 B835 p48 Sears Crescent 838 Duncan Meuser, H & H no Sears Hamilton 3200 1034 Duncan Stadler, J & M bo Sears Barrington 7 N Edison Mittelsteadt, L & D no Sears Lynnhaven 24 N Edison Warner, D & E no Sears Dover 47 N Edison MacIntyre, S no Blueprints Sears Berwyn 65 S Edison Wisser, C & L 1930 B835? P285 Sears Sunlight 375 Elm Deihs, F no Sears Winona 868 Erie Fredrickson, C & E 1930 B835 p 288 Sears Bellewood 458/452 George Green, H & L 1930 B835 p294 Sears Clyde 7030 ? 310 Gertrude Quinn, J & A 1926 B835 p58 Sears Josephine 500 Gertrude Strong, H & M 1929 B835 Sears Park Ridge 510 Gertrude Citari, S & K 1927 B835 p60 Ship labels Sears Crafton 602 Glenwood Ferguson, T 1926 B835 p25 Sears Crescent 615 Grand Warner, F & R no Pt #s Sears Winona 627 Grand Wahlster, F 1926 B794 p528 Sears Hamilton 3200 652 Grand Wahlster, A & L 1925 B782 p539 Sears Oakdale 677 Grand Wahlster, F 1926 B944 p533 Sears Mitchell 303 Hamilton Perkins, C & A 1929 B835 p 228 Sears Barrington 307 Hamilton Kobel, F & H 1920 B 835 p226 Pt #s Sears Osborn 317 Hamilton Elliott, M & C 1929 B835 p229 Pt #s Sears Barrington 327 Hamilton Anderson, R & M 1920 B 835 p227 Pt # Sears Barrington 337 Hamilton Garman, J 1928 B835 p149 Sears Betsy Ross 345 Hamilton Adams, R & A 1927 B835 p87 Sears Starlight 380 Hamilton Posey, H & E 1926 B835 p37 Sears Rodessa 381 Hamilton Vaughn, M & J 1927 B835 p92 Sears Starlight 616 Harrison Smith, R & A Sears Starlight 451 Hendee Lofgran, L 1927 B835 p133 Sears Wilmore 153 Henry Mallory, H 1930 B835 p273 Sears Berwyn 1105 W Highland Netzer, R & M 1920 B835 p255 Pt #s Sears Betsy Ross 1262 W Highland Melahn 1930 B835 p291 Sears Custom 2251 W Highland Pillinger, H Sears Puritan 412 Hill Wewetzer, F & A 1926 B835 p56 Sears Sunlight 500 Hill Krause, C & I Sears Rodessa 940 Hill Helm, J & J no Sears Berwyn 1006 Hill Lind, C & E 1928 B835 p206 Blueprints, Pt #s Sears Josephine 1016 Hill Metz, E & J 1926 B813 p365 Sears Vallonia 1019 Hill Jahnke, C & D 1927 B835 p126 Blueprints Sears Vallonia 1921 Hill Jahnke, W & A 1928 B835 p154 Pt # Sears Jeanette 512 Holly Mumme, F & N 1930 B835 P289 Sears Berwyn 366 Hubbard Ronan, T & E 1930 B835 p289 Sears Hamilton 3200 300 Illinois Thornton, J & L 1925 B 782 p195 Sears Van Dorn 442 Illinois Johnson, H 1927 B835 p112 Sears Claremont 467 Illinois Morgan, H & J 1929 B835 p253 Sears Maplewood 632 Illinois Rose, H & H no Pt #s Sears Rodessa var. 683 Jay Whalen, F & M 1925 B776 p182 Sears Vallonia 765 Jay Griffith, D & R Sears Josephine 621 Jefferson Guillod, H & H 1926 B835 p29 Sears Plymouth 668 Jefferson Brooks, E & T 1928 B835 p172 Sears ? 677 Jefferson no Sears Alberta? ? 24 Julian Pl no Sears Ardara 28 Julian Pl Dahn, J & L 1926 B835 p13 Sears Crescent ? † 610 Keep Burke, W 1926 B835 p39 Sears Sunlight 625 Keep Barnwell, D & R 1927 B835 p125 Sears Dundee 631 Keep Kilgore, S & S 1927 B835 p74 94 Sears Sunlight 585 Kirk Sears Columbine 610 Lavoie Ackmann, W 1927 B835 p89 Pt #s Sears Betsy Ross 810 Lavoie Benson, E & C 1927 B835 p75 Pt #s Sears Starlight 866 Lavoie Lange, C no Sears Collingwood ? 11 Leonard McEwan no Sears Barrington 126 S Liberty Quirin, P & A 1927 B835 p111 Blueprints Sears Fullerton 612 S Liberty Hameister, F & V 1925 B776 p289 Pt #s Sears Crescent 613 S Liberty Warner, B & M Sears Sunlight 674 S Liberty Blanchard, B & M Pt #s Sears Hamilton 3200 680 S Liberty Klingbiel, H Pt # Sears Collingwood 757 S Liberty Geldmacher, A & H 1926 B794 p571 Sears Bellewood 865 S Liberty Gruno, W & A no Sears Hampton 559 Lincoln Perly, A & E 1926 B835 p42 Blueprints Sears Rodessa 641 Lincoln Dewis, E & E no Sears Fairy 659 Lincoln Dewis, F & K 1926 B813 p231 Sears Solace 687 Lincoln Raywood, A & L 1928 B835 p174 Pt #s Sears Kimberly 1031 Logan Spears, R & M 1928 B835 p216‐7 Sears Glyndon 423 Lovell Rickert, C & M early records Sears Hampton 665 Luda Aurand, G & E no Sears Sunlight 650 Ludlow Jacobi, E 1925 B794 p326 Pt #s Sears Starlight 12 Mallery Davis, L 1922 B700 p520 Pt #s Sears Walton 608 Margaret Pl Wahl. M & G 1926 B813 p323 Pt #s Sears Strathmore 321 Marguerite Wolf, W & C 1930 B835 p895 Pt #s Sears Collingwood 335 Marguerite Schmidt, L & G 1929 B835 p231 Pt #s Sears Crescent 618 May Warner, A & M Sears Westly 626 May Radcliff, L grantor bk Pt #s Sears Crescent 671 McClure Lalleman, C 126 B813p443 Pt #s Sears Hamilton 3200 39W230 McDonald Rd Olson. J & A Sears Cedars 320 N McLean Christianson no Sears Crescent 343 S McLean Hartman, F & M 1927 B835 p110 Daughter of Har Sears Berwyn 212 N Melrose Mapes, W & B !928 B835 p1197 Bill of sale Sears Argyle 25 S Melrose Benner, A & E 1922 B689 p515 Sears Lynnhaven 84 S Melrose Carlson, F & H 1931 B835 p304 Pt #s Sears Sheridan 107 S Melrose Koehnke, C & N 1927 B835 p86 Sears Wellington var. 276 S Melrose Nickel, L & V no Pt #s Sears Starlight 314 Morgan Lemvig, J 1921 B666 p525 Pt #s Sears Newbury 520 Morgan Cooper, D no Sears Hamilton 3200 1135 Morton Meuser, E & C 1922 B700 p399 Sears Maplewood 1184 Morton Metzger, L & R 1929 B835 p238 Sears Olivia 153 Moseley Randall, C & A 1920 B835 p230 Sears Fairy 766 Murray Myhre, H & E 1926 B835 p23 Ship labels Sears Crescent var. 565 Oak Copoer, H & E no Sears Mitchell 625 Oak Vick, O & N no Sears Collingwood 657 Oak Scheitlin, D & C no Pt #s Sears Elsmore 664 Oak Wynhoff, H 1926 B835 p11 Pt #s Sears Cornell 667 Oak Fritz, W & L 1926 B835 p151 Blueprints Sears Del Rey 670 Oak Krausman, A 1926 B835 p19 Pt #s Sears Puritan 671 Oak Rahn, A no Pt #s Sears Somers 639 Oakland Baughmann, L & H 1927 B835 p 91 Model # on rafte Sears Sunlight 620 Orange Brettman, E no Pt #s Sears Sunlight 626 Orange Musikich, M 1928 B835 p151 Sears Vallonia 159 Orchard Hopp, H & E 1926 B835 p12 Sears Betsy Ross 516 Oxford Steveman, J & E 1927 B835 p66 Sears Rodessa vvar 572 Page Sobbe, 1927 B835 p134 Sears Ramsay 620 Page Sykora, F 1925 B794 p101 Sears Berwyn 632 Page Williams, W & R 1928 B835 p196 Sears Crescent 663 Page Brammer, H 1926 B835 p22 Sears Rochelle 722 Parkway Sears Claremont var. 742 Parkway Sears Rodessa 768 Parkway Sears Avalon 214 Plum Bullard, C 1928 B835 p14 Sears Lynnhaven 460 Porter Ct Wilharm, H & F no Sears Lorain #3281 465 Porter Ct Sleeman, J & M 1929 B835 p236 Pt #s Sears Garfield 390 Prairie Lange, F 1926 B811 p465 Sears Crescent 425 Preston Warner, R & F no Sears Crescent 514 Preston Mischke, F & B 1927 B835 p127 Sears Starlight 853 Preston Wuillenmier, A 1927 B835 p79 Pt #s Sears ? [razed] 1187 Preston Brandt, A 1926 B835 p48 Sears Crescent 332 River Bluff Parry, J 1922 B707 p49 Sears Crafton 219 Sexauer Hoffman, W 1926 B835 p45 Sears Fairy 1407 Sherwood Leitner, E 1926 B884 p340 Sears Dover 862 Shuler Fletcher, G & F 1930 B835 p296 Ship labels Sears Vallonia 863 Shuler Radloff, A 1927 B 835 p88 Sears Hamilton 3200 870 Shuler Smith, J & A 1926 B813 p9 Sears Hampton 319 Silver Bremmer, H 1927 B835 p90 Pt # Sears Berwyn 628 Slade Beyer, W & E no Pt # Sears Uriel/Conway 637 Slade Jahnke, E & M 1928 B835 p211 Pt # Sears Fairy 657 Slade Foote, W 1927 B835 p64 Sears Berwyn 663 Slade Heineger, A 1930 B835 p280 Sears Rochelle 925 St Charles Johnson, W & E 1930 B835 p270 Sears Rodessa 904 St John Schwartz, H & E Pt # Sears Betsy Ross 1051 St John Fairchild, J 1928 B835 p 146 Pt # Sears Uriel/Conway 520 Standish Volsch, M 1929 B835 p235 Pt # Sears Hampton 739 Stewart Zell, G & M Pt # Sears Starlight 743 Stewart Weidner, J & E 1927 Sears Sunlight 746 Stewart Sears Starlight 340 Vandalia Meyer, E & M 1926 B835 p32 Sears Bedford 398 Vincent Pl Meyer, I & E 1929 B835 p289? Pt # Sears ? 53 Vine Alexander, J & P 1930 B835 p274 Sears Manchester 766 Walnut Tiffany, T & M 1927 B835 p138 Sears Barrington 327 Washburn Pierce 1928 B835 p155 Sears Manchester 3?? Washburn Brown, C no Sears Nantucket 366 Washburn no Sears #2024 627 Wellington Rieger, H & J no dau of builder Sears #2024 629 Wellington Lane, J 1926 B813 p 202 Sears ? 256 S Weston French, G 1919 B624 p529 Sears Mitchell 515 Wilber Schwartz, L & A no Sears Fairy 56 Wilcox no Sears Wilmore 65 Wilcox Glomp, B no Sears Betsy Ross 132 Wilcox Knuth, H & M no Sears Rodessa 315 Wilcox Cohn, S & B 1923 B707 p586 Sears Argyle 316 Wilcox Cohn, S & B 1921 B689 p179 Sears Sunlight 520 Willis Lindsay, G no Sears Ramsay 714 Wilson Holtz, H & I 1927 B835 p142 Sears Kilbourne 409 Wing Park Hanchett, H & A 1925 B776 p634 Blueprints Sears Puritan 15 Woodland Webb, T 1924 B733 p453 Sears Avondale 326 N Worth Gilbert, F Details match Sears Betsy Ross 11 S Worth Dykes, D 1926 B835 p20 Sears Wilmore 112 S Worth Peeke, R & B 1932 B835 p316 Sears Hampton 135 S Worth Wadie, H 1928 B835 p179 Sears Grant 630 Wright Greenawalt, F & C Pt # Sears Mitchell 635 Wright Wolf, F & A

TOTAL 238 180 authenticated