A piece of Greenville real estate history hit the market last week. Reader Robin B., who we featured five years ago in an article about Sears Roebuck homes, announced her home at 222 E. Park Ave. near downtown is on the market.

“I heard Ashmore models are harder to find in the US, as they were not built as often as the other models,” Robin shared in the I live in a Sears, Roebuck Catalog Home Facebook group. “We hope the new owners will love it as much as we have enjoyed it for the last 20 years.”

The home was built in 1925 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also recognized by the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors with the Residential Revitalization Award after it was completely restored and renovated.

The history

In 1908, Sears, Roebuck and Company launched its first Book of Modern Homes, offering 44 house styles via mail order. By 1916, buyers received everything needed to build a home — pre-cut lumber, paint, windows, and instructions (think IKEA, but for houses). Sears made home ownership more accessible.

1922 Sears Modern Homes catalog cover | Photo from Sears and Roebuck Companies via Wikimedia

Though affordable, these homes featured quality materials like oak floors and cypress ceilings. Prices in 1918 ranged from $3,600 to $4,600 (~$76,000–$97,000 today), and while they were marketed as DIY builds in 90 days, many families hired local builders.

Between 1908 and 1940, around 75,000 kit homes were built, mostly in the Midwest and Northeast, but a few made it to the South, including Greenville.

Identifying a Sears Modern Home can be difficult, especially since the company lost the majority of its records on the homes. However, there are a few tricks to identify one — including stamped lumber, shipping labels + unique column arrangements.

Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog home listing | Photos from Sears, Roebuck and Co. via Wikimedia

Know of a local Sears home? Send us a picture — we’d love to feature it.

Wishing you could travel back in time and purchase one of these homes? (Us too.) Until that’s possible, check out this Sears Modern Homes catalog from 1936.